Gold (XAU/USD) holds steady within familiar ranges on Wednesday as a mild risk-off tone across global markets underpins demand for the safe-haven metal. At the time of writing, XAU/USD is trading around $3,975, recovering modestly from Tuesday's low of $3,928.

The risk-off sentiment follows a broad sell-off in global equities, led by weakness in US tech and AI-related stocks. Concerns about stretched valuations and warnings from Wall Street executives of a potential correction sparked the downturn, which rippled through Asian and European markets. Meanwhile, ongoing uncertainty surrounding the prolonged United States (US) government shutdown added to the cautious tone.

However, Gold's recovery lacks strong follow-through buying as the resilient US Dollar (USD) continues to cap upside attempts, but persistent risk aversion and buying interest near recent lows should keep downside contained.

Market movers: Dollar strengthens on upbeat US data; attention turns to Supreme Court tariff case.

The latest ADP Employment Change report showed private-sector employment rising by 42,000 in October, surpassing forecasts of 25,000 after a 32,000 drop in September.

Meanwhile, the ISM Services PMI rebounded to 52.4 in October from 50.0 in September, signaling renewed expansion in the sector. The New Orders Index climbed to 56.2, its highest since October 2024, while the Prices Paid Index rose to 70.0.

The US Dollar Index (DXY), which gauges the Greenback's strength against six major peers, advances to 100.30, its highest level since May 29, as the Greenback extends its rally for a sixth consecutive day amid fading expectations of further Fed rate cuts.

US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Tuesday aimed at easing trade tensions with China, following a recent meeting and trade agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Effective November 10, the tariff on fentanyl-linked imports from China will be reduced from 20% to 10%, while the reciprocal tariff rate on Chinese goods will remain at 10% for another year, extending a truce that lowered the original rate from 34%. Beijing responded by temporarily lifting some retaliatory duties on US agricultural and industrial products.

The legality of the Trump administration's tariffs is back in the spotlight as the US Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments later on Wednesday over whether the use of emergency powers to impose broad import duties was lawful. Two lower courts have already ruled the tariffs illegal, and the outcome could shape the future scope of presidential authority over trade policy.

The US government shutdown entered its thirty-sixth day on Wednesday, marking the longest in history. The funding deadlock continues to delay key economic data releases and fuel worries about its growing impact on the broader economy.

The monetary policy outlook remains clouded after last week's 25-basis-point (bps) rate cut, as Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell signaled that further easing this year is "not a foregone conclusion." Still, diverging opinions among Fed officials on inflation and labor market conditions have left markets uncertain over the prospect of another rate cut in December.

According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets now price a 68% chance of a December rate cut, down sharply from 94% before Powell's remarks. With official economic data delayed by the ongoing shutdown, the ADP and ISM Services PMI figures could prove pivotal in shaping near-term Fed expectations.

Source: Fxstreet