Gold steadied around $3,030 per ounce on Monday after an earlier drop of more than 1% that sent prices to their lowest levels in over three weeks. The initial drop sparked speculation that some investors were liquidating positions to lock in profits, possibly to cover losses or margin calls from sharp declines in other assets, triggered by fears that an intensifying global trade war could push the economy into a recession. Adding to investor concerns, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned that tariffs raised the risks of higher inflation and slower economic growth, underscoring the difficult path ahead for policymakers.

Source: Trading economi