Gold's Next Move: Dollar, Data, Rates to Dictate Future Amid Shifting Market Focus

• Gold's record-setting run paused; focus shifts from Venezuela crisis to US economy and key indicators.
• December's US jobs data, dollar's direction, and Fed's interest rate decisions are now the primary drivers for gold prices.
• Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari indicated rates are nearing a neutral level, making future Fed moves data-dependent.
• High interest rates typically pressure gold, which yields no interest, while rate cut expectations provide a significant boost.
• Gold's future hinges on US economic data: weak data could spark new highs, strong data could lead to consolidation or profit-taking.

Why It Matters: Gold's trajectory now depends on US economic data, dollar strength, and Fed's rate decisions, not emotions.