BRIAN XAUUSD – GOLD STAYS HEAVY AS FED PRESSURE OVERRIDES SAFEGoldOANDA:XAUUSDBrianLionCapitalBRIAN XAUUSD – GOLD STAYS HEAVY AS FED PRESSURE OVERRIDES SAFE-HAVEN DEMAND Gold ended the week down nearly 1.5%, marking a sixth consecutive week of lower or flat closes. What stands out is that XAUUSD is still weakening even with Middle East risks unresolved, which tells us the main driver is no longer pure safe-haven demand. The market is trading the Fed story first. From a macro view, gold ignored most of the earlier optimism around the US-Iran peace framework after fresh uncertainty returned. At the same time, the Fed’s hawkish tone continues to support the US dollar. That combination keeps pressure on gold and explains why price is drifting closer to the 4,000 area instead of rebuilding toward the February highs. Technical structure On the H1 chart, gold remains in a weak recovery-to-sell structure after failing to hold the higher value area. Price has already reacted lower from the upper Volume Profile resistance and is now trading back around 4,155. The key technical message is simple: the upper value zone is still acting as supply, while the current rebound remains corrective. As long as gold stays below the main sell zone, sellers still control the short-term structure. The next important support sits near the lower POC around 4,075 - 4,080. If price reaches that area, the market may try to stabilise. But unless gold can reclaim the upper sell zone, any bounce should still be treated as a retest rather than a reversal. Important zones Sell Zone POC: 4,238 - 4,245 Main Volume Profile resistance and preferred sell area. Sell Scalping VAL: 4,220 - 4,225 Secondary resistance inside the upper sell structure. Reaction zone: 4,175 - 4,185 Nearest short-term support after the recent drop. Lower POC: 4,075 - 4,080 Main lower value support and likely reaction zone. Psychological downside area: 4,000 Broader bearish target if selling pressure continues. Trading scenario Sell retest at Sell Zone POC 4,238 - 4,245 Entry: Look for sell positions only if price rebounds into 4,238 - 4,245 and shows clear rejection. Stop Loss: Above the Sell Zone POC or above the local rejection high. Take Profit: TP1: 4,185 TP2: 4,075 - 4,080 TP3: 4,000 if bearish momentum extends This is the cleanest setup because it aligns with the main Volume Profile resistance and the broader bearish structure. Final view Gold is still trading with a bearish tone. The market has now logged six weak weeks in a row, and the bigger message is that Fed pressure is outweighing geopolitical support. For now, the professional approach is simple: do not chase price in the middle. Wait for a rebound into 4,238 - 4,245, then watch for sell confirmation. Trade the retest. Respect the volume zone.