Gold Futures Eye Breakout as Price Tests $5,031 Pivot

Key Moments

The analyst is watching $5,031.37 as a decisive support level for gold futures over the next 10 days.
Current gold price behavior is being compared with the January 1980 rally and its subsequent post-peak decline.
Diplomatic moves on Iran and shifting U.S. tariff policy are seen as key drivers of volatility in gold and broader markets.

Technical Focus on Post-Peak Gold Price Action

The analysis evaluates gold futures using daily charts to understand price behavior ahead of rallies and the magnitude of gains when gold reached a record high in January 1980. It also examines how prices retreated after the second peak in that earlier cycle.

For the current market, the latest upswing is described as having set the post-2026 trend on February 24, 2025. The analyst has identified $5,031.37 as a critical level. If gold futures fall below this price within the next 10 days, the analyst will treat the emerging pattern as a confirmed trend.

Geopolitical Backdrop and Policy Uncertainty

The study links gold’s trajectory to the current geopolitical environment, particularly U.S. policy toward Iran. The analyst notes that prices could continue to weaken if the U.S. president chooses a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue instead of a military option. This topic is expected to be discussed on Thursday following a meeting in Washington between U.S. and Iranian diplomats.

According to the observations, the current rally in 2025-26 shares notable similarities with the 1980 advance in terms of overall upward momentum, even though the underlying catalysts may differ. Based on this comparison, the analyst anticipates that the post-peak decline could resemble the pattern seen after the 1980 surge.

Historical and Current Rally Comparison

Period	Observed Feature
1980 Rally	Characterized by a strong uptrend followed by a notable post-peak decline, as studied on daily gold futures charts.
2026 Rally	Current rally is viewed as technically similar in its uptrend structure, with expectations of a comparable post-peak fall.

Tariffs, Supreme Court Ruling, and Market Implications

The analyst also highlights the impact of shifting U.S. presidential statements, particularly on trade tariffs. On Tuesday evening, the president reacted to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down his tariff regime, yet indicated he intends to move forward with his tariff agenda without seeking Congressional approval.

Trump called the Supreme Court ruling “unfortunate” during his State of the Union address, claiming that the duties were a major driver of U.S. economic strength in the past year.

“Despite the disappointing ruling, these powerful…(tariffs) will remain in place under fully approved and tested alternative legal statutes, “Trump said without specifying the legal framework.

“Congressional action will not be necessary,” Trump said.

The analyst’s view is that such changes in stance could intensify inflationary pressures and contribute to a higher fiscal deficit. At the same time, the administration is seen as needing to address the Iran issue on a priority basis, with expectations that Thursday’s engagement could conclude positively.

Iran Negotiations, Election Calculus, and Gold Volatility

The analysis concludes that if the potential deal with Iran fails, the president may need to postpone a direct confrontation in order to protect his electoral base in the mid-term elections. The analyst warns that this type of outcome could generate significant market volatility, while a softer approach to Iran could instead prompt selling pressure in precious metals.

Against this backdrop, the central focus remains on the technical picture. Based on the post-peak formations studied in both historical and current contexts, the analyst aims to map the likely path of gold futures during the first half of the year, with particular attention to the $5,031.37 level and the 10-day observation window.