Markets Whipsaw as Tariff Turmoil Continues

Markets have been all over the place this week. What looked like a strong rally in the S&P 500 is now starting to feel more like a bull trap, with traders caught out by false optimism. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs threw things into chaos, with a 10% blanket tariff on all imports and a massive 125% targeting China specifically. A 90-day pause on some of those measures gave the markets a short-lived boost, but the reality is sinking in—this tariff war is far from over, and volatility is here to stay.

While equities wobble, gold just keeps grinding higher. Investors are clearly looking for safe ground, and gold continues to deliver. With markets rattled and trade headlines changing by the hour, gold’s momentum feels solid. This run is being fuelled by fears of recession, sticky inflation, and a growing lack of confidence in policy stability. If this keeps up, we might see gold test new highs before mid-year.

On currency markets, the Aussie dollar has bounced back a bit after slipping below 60 US cents last week. There’s a bit more stability now, helped along by steady commodity prices and some breathing room in the trade rhetoric. But nobody’s getting too comfortable—there’s still plenty that could knock it back down again.

And while all this plays out, Australia is having a long, hard look at its energy sector. New reporting shows just how much of the country’s renewable infrastructure - particularly wind - is foreign-owned. That’s becoming a major issue. Not only does it affect energy pricing, it limits our ability to make decisions that work in Australia’s best interest. In a time when weather events are only getting more severe, the idea that we can’t fully control how we generate and distribute power is starting to hit home. If energy’s going to be the battleground of the future, we’re already on the back foot.

Market Snapshot

• Gold – $AU5117
• Silver – $AU50.37
• US500 – 5276
• ASX200 – 7582
• AUD/USD – 0.62

Gold Futures Technical Analysis  

Technical indicators for Gold Futures suggest a STRONG BUY on both monthly and weekly analyses.  

Technical Indicators - Monthly Projections  

Summary for Monthly Forecast: Strong Buy  

*Not financial advice; please conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.*