Anndy Lian
Gold hits US$3,339 as markets brace for Fed moves and Bitcoin’s next big drop
I find myself drawn to the complexity of this moment, a trading session marked by mixed signals, yet brimming with implications for investors worldwide.
Let’s dive into the details, explore what’s driving these shifts, and offer my perspective on where things might be headed, all grounded in the facts and data at hand.
Global risks sentiment and economic backdrop
The global risks sentiment during this recent trading session was undeniably mixed, a reflection of the myriad forces tugging at investor confidence.
On one hand, there’s optimism stemming from stronger-than-expected US economic data: May’s US JOLTS job openings surged to 4.6 per cent, signalling robust labour market demand, while the ISM Manufacturing index ticked up to 49.0, hinting at a stabilisation in industrial activity despite remaining below the expansion threshold of 50.
These figures paint a picture of an economy that’s holding its own, defying some of the gloomier forecasts that have lingered in recent months. This resilience is a reminder that the US economy often finds ways to surprise on the upside, even amid uncertainty.
Yet, this positivity is tempered by caution. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s latest remarks reinforce a “wait-and-see” approach, a stance that keeps markets guessing about the Federal Reserve’s next move. His acknowledgment that a rate cut in July isn’t off the table adds a layer of intrigue, suggesting flexibility but no firm commitment.
I see this as the Fed walking a tightrope: balancing the need to support growth against the risk of overheating an economy that’s already showing strength. It’s a prudent strategy, but one that leaves investors hungry for clearer signals.
Adding to the mix is a significant legislative development: the US Senate’s razor-thin approval of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passing 51-50 with Vice President Vance casting the decisive vote. This bill now heads to the House of Representatives for a final showdown, and its outcome could ripple through fiscal policy, government spending, and market sentiment.
While the specifics of OBBBA remain broad in public discourse, its passage in the Senate signals potential shifts in economic priorities, perhaps more stimulus or infrastructure investment, that could bolster growth or stoke inflationary pressures. The House’s decision will be a litmus test for how aggressively the US leans into fiscal expansion, and I’ll be watching closely.
US markets: A tale of divergence
Against this backdrop, US stock markets closed the session with a split personality. The S&P 500 dipped by 0.11 per cent, while the NASDAQ took a sharper hit, falling 0.82 per cent, which may reflect a cooling in tech-heavy growth stocks. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shone brightly, climbing 0.91 per cent to claim the title of best performer among the trio.
It suggests that investors are rotating into value stocks or sectors less sensitive to interest rate speculation, such as industrials or financials, while taking profits in high-flying tech names. It’s a classic flight to stability in uncertain times, and I suspect the Dow’s strength is tied to solid economic data lifting confidence in traditional industries.
US Treasury yields, however, tell a different story, one of rising expectations. The 10-year UST yield edged up by 1.4 basis points, while the two-year yield jumped 5.3 basis points to 3.772 per cent. Higher yields across the curve signal that bond investors are pricing in either stronger growth, creeping inflation, or the possibility of tighter Fed policy down the road.
I lean toward a mix of the first two: the economic data supports growth, but persistent supply chain pressures and energy costs (more on that later) could be nudging inflation concerns. For bondholders, it’s a demand for better returns in a world where cash might not stay cheap forever.
Currency, commodities, and global cues
The US Dollar Index slipped by a modest 0.06 per cent, a subtle retreat that doesn’t scream panic but hints at a pause in the greenback’s dominance. In contrast, gold rallied 1.1 per cent to US$3,339 per ounce, a clear sign of its enduring allure as a safe-haven asset when sentiment wavers.
I’ve always viewed gold as the market’s emotional barometer, and its climb here feels like a hedge against the unknowns: Fed policy, legislative outcomes, and geopolitical risks.
Speaking of which, Brent crude oil rose 0.6 per cent to US$67 per barrel, a modest gain overshadowed by the looming OPEC+ meeting on July 6. Word is, the cartel might agree to pump an additional 411,000 barrels per day starting in August—a move that could ease tight supply but also cap oil’s upside.
I’m cautious here; energy markets are a wild card, and any surprises from OPEC+ could sway inflation expectations and, by extension, Fed thinking. For now, the market seems to be holding its breath.
Globally, Asian equity indices reflected the mixed mood in early trading, while US equity futures indicated a higher open. That flicker of optimism could stem from the US data or hopes of Fed accommodation; either way, it’s a tentative sign that sentiment isn’t all doom and gloom.
Bitcoin: Institutional moves and technical tensions
Now, let’s pivot to the cryptocurrency realm, where Bitcoin is stealing headlines once again. Hong Kong-based DDC Enterprise, a publicly traded food company, has secured US$528 million in fresh funding and plans to acquire 5,000 BTC over the next three years. This isn’t pocket change, it’s a bold bet on Bitcoin as a treasury asset, signalling that institutional adoption is gaining steam.
It’s a vote of confidence in crypto’s staying power, even as traditional markets grapple with their own dramas. Companies like DDC are betting that Bitcoin can hedge against inflation or currency weakening, a narrative I think holds water in today’s climate.
But the price action tells a more cautious tale. Bitcoin pulled back to US$105,250 on Tuesday after failing to breach US$109,000 over the weekend, and selling picked up pace, raising the spectre of a drop to US$104,000. We might be at a local top or entering consolidation, given the choppy trading. Let’s break down the charts to see what’s cooking.
On the daily BTC/USDT chart, Bitcoin’s caught between a downtrend line and its moving averages. The upsloping averages tilt slightly bullish, suggesting that buyers aren’t out of the game, but the RSI, hovering near neutral, shows that momentum has stalled.
If the price cracks below those averages and holds there, we’re looking at a slide to US$104,500, maybe even US$100,000, keeping it trapped in a bearish descending triangle.
But if it bounces off the averages and punches above the downtrend line, that bearish setup collapses, and we could see a run toward the inverse head-and-shoulders neckline, potentially a bullish breakout. I’m torn here; the technicals are poised for either outcome, and it’s a coin toss until momentum picks a side.
The four-hour chart sharpens the focus: Bitcoin has slipped below the moving averages, a sign that short-term traders are cashing out. The US$104,500 level is the line in the sand; buyers will fight tooth and nail to hold it, because a break could send it tumbling to US$100,000. Psychologically, that round number looms large, and I’d wager it’s where dip-buyers might step in.
Bitcoin’s at a crossroads. The institutional interest from DDC is a long-term tailwind, but near-term selling pressure could test those lower supports. If it holds US$104,500, I’d see it as a base for another push; if it folds, US$100,000 feels like a natural floor before sentiment shifts.
We’re in a volatile stew, but with sharp eyes and steady hands, there’s profit to be made. That’s my lens on this whirlwind- Complex, thrilling, and ripe for the astute.
Source: https://e27.co/gold-hits-us3339-as-markets-brace-for-fed-moves-and-bitcoins-next-big-drop-20250702/
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