Gold is on track for its worst month since February, but why? The precious metal faces one of its most prominent headwinds, rising real yields. As a non-yielding asset, Gold must compete with the risk-free return that U.S. Treasuries provide. Furthermore, the difference between Treasury rates and the inflation rate provides what is known as the Real Yield.
According to the St. Louis Fed Economic Research, Real Yields turned positive in October 2021 and peaked in March 2023, Gold struggled this February as Real Yields surged into that peak. After slipping into June, Real Yields have risen sharply, bringing renewed pressure on the precious metal.