Rising 10SMA holds pullback for now, FOMC minutes eyed for fresh signals

Spot gold stands at the back foot on Wednesday, as rising optimism over possible solution for US/China trade dispute reduced safe-haven demand.
Extension of pullback from $1298 high (six-month high posted on 04 Jan) probes again through rising 10SMA ($1282) which contained Tuesday’s dip and marks solid support.
Weaker sentiment is supported by 14-d momentum, which created a bear-cross and is heading south.
On the other side, the yellow metal moves within larger uptrend from mid-Aug 2018 low at $1160, with current easing seen as correction before bulls resume.
The depth of correction would depend on fundamentals after dovish comments from Fed chief Powell last week increased fears that the US central bank would pause rate hike cycle in 2019, with today’s release of minutes on FOMC Dec monetary policy meeting expected to give further signals.
Dovish stance from Fed would make the greenback less attractive to investors and would further boost gold, which stalled just ahead of psychological $1300 barrier for consolidative / corrective action.
Ideally, dips should be contained by rising 10SMA to keep immediate focus at the upside, with break above $1295/$1300 barriers to expose targets at $1309/16 (14 June lower high / Fibo 76.4% of $1365/$1160 fall).
Break below 10SMA would signal deeper correction and expose pivotal support at $1265 (rising 20SMA).

Res: 1287; 1295; 1298; 1300
Sup: 1282; 1276; 1273; 1265