Yeliz Akmaca 
Gold and silver prices started the week on a strong note. Weakness in the US dollar gave precious metals fresh momentum following Friday’s sharp rebound. Spot gold climbed 1.46% on Monday to $5,038.8 per ounce, after briefly testing $5,046 during the session. April US gold futures traded 1.1% higher at $5,033.80.
Gold has once again settled above the psychological $5,000 threshold. Moves in silver were even more aggressive. Spot silver surged 4.6% to $81.54. After sliding toward the $60 zone last week, this rebound suggests that short-term panic selling has largely been absorbed. Platinum did not share the same momentum, falling 2.3% to around $2,068.
The market is still searching for a clear narrative — and frankly, it’s struggling to find one.
Eyes on US Data: Dollar Under Pressure
Investors are focusing on US nonfarm payrolls and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) this week. Both releases could provide fresh clues about the Fed’s interest-rate path. The delay of January’s labor report until Wednesday limited short-term volatility, giving gold some breathing room.
The US dollar has slipped to its lowest levels since February 4, making dollar-priced metals more attractive to global investors. Analysts highlight a strong intraday correlation between gold, silver, and the dollar.
KCM Chief Analyst Tim Waterer summarizes the current setup:
“Opportunistic buying is pushing gold back above the psychological $5,000 level.”
Meanwhile, the Japanese yen strengthened after weekend elections, adding further pressure to the dollar index.
Fed Uncertainty at the Center of Pricing
Last week saw sharp whipsaw moves across precious metals markets. The catalyst was a brief dollar rebound after President Donald Trump floated Kevin Warsh as a potential Fed chair candidate, triggering profit-taking in gold and silver.
The narrative quickly shifted. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not fully rule out potential legal scrutiny related to Warsh, raising institutional confidence concerns. Growing fears over Fed independence pushed the dollar lower again. As the dollar weakened, gold responded naturally to the upside.
Markets are now pricing at least two 25-basis-point rate cuts in 2026, with the first potentially arriving in June. Gold, which offers no yield, historically performs better in low-rate environments.
San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said on Friday that one or two additional rate cuts may be needed to offset labor-market weakness.
According to Waterer, softer employment data could further support gold — though unless there’s a significant deterioration, the Fed is unlikely to act decisively before mid-year.
Turkey Market: Gram Gold Near 7,500 TRY
Global gains spilled into Turkey as well. In the Grand Bazaar, gram gold traded around 7,518 TRY, while quarter gold climbed toward 12,262 TRY. Physical buying interest remains steady, with prices reflecting both on-shore FX moves and international gold performance.
For local investors, the picture is clear: global uncertainty continues to amplify domestic price sensitivity.
China Factor: Quiet but Persistent
One of the strongest medium-to-long-term supports for gold comes from China.
In January, the People’s Bank of China increased its gold reserves for the 15th consecutive month, reaching 74.19 million ounces. The move is widely interpreted as strategic diversification away from dollar-based reserves. China already leads global gold consumption, and continued central-bank demand provides a solid floor for prices.
Silver Approaches Key Resistance
Silver’s technical structure looks more aggressive. After nearly a 10% jump on Friday, momentum has carried into the new week — but analysts urge caution.
Kelvin Wong identifies $92.24 as a critical resistance level. Until that zone is cleared, medium-term bullish scenarios remain tentative. Notably, silver hit an all-time high of $121.64 on January 29. Volatility has increased sharply since then.
2026 Performance Remains Positive
Despite recent turbulence, gold is up roughly 15% year-to-date, while silver holds about a 5% gain. The sharp correction from early-February highs flushed out some speculative positions, leaving a more balanced — yet still fragile — market structure.
In short: gold is holding above $5,000, silver has staged a powerful rebound. Direction, however, remains uncertain. Fed ambiguity, dollar movements, and central-bank demand are all colliding in the same pricing mix. This week’s US data will be decisive for short-term momentum.
The market isn’t comfortable yet — but it’s not fully defensive either.
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