4H Market Structure & Trend
Gold (XAU/USD) is trading around $3,383, showing a generally bullish market structure on the 4-hour chart. The price has been making higher highs (HH) and higher lows (HL) – a classic uptrend pattern
Recently, bulls broke above a notable resistance level (a Break of Structure, or BOS), confirming continued upside momentum
So far no Change of Character (CHOCH) signal (which would require a lower low to hint at a trend reversal, meaning the uptrend remains intact. Gold is also trading above its daily pivot point (3370), reflecting a bullish intraday bias
Overall, sentiment on the 4H timeframe is positive unless key support levels give way.
Key Support & Resistance Zones (Demand vs. Supply)
Support (Demand Zones): Immediate support lies in the 3355 – 3340 region (marked by S1 and S2). This zone lines up with prior price congestion and is viewed as a demand zone, where buyers have historically stepped in
In fact, multiple support levels cluster here (e.g. previous lows and trendline intersection), creating a broad buy zone. The idea is that as price dips into this area, buy orders are likely waiting, and the deeper it goes into the zone, the more attractive it becomes for bulls
If 3340 fails, the next support is around 3325 (S3), another potential demand area where gold found a footing earlier. Traders will watch these support zones for bullish reversal signals (like a strong bounce or candlestick patterns) to confirm that demand is indeed active. Resistance (Supply Zones): On the upside, initial resistance is seen at 3385 (R1), with a stronger supply zone around 3400 (roughly the R2 3402 level). Here, multiple technical levels overlap – including a recent swing high and a psychological round number. This convergence of resistances creates a supply zone where sellers may be waiting.
As gold approaches 3385–3402, it’s likely to encounter profit-taking or new short positions. If price does punch through 3400, the next resistance is around 3415 (R3), which could attract even more selling interest. Within the 3385–3415 zone, expect price to possibly stall or reverse, unless bulls muster a strong breakout. Traders should be cautious about bullish positions as price nears this supply area, and watch for any bearish reversal clues (like wicks or a double-top) indicating that sellers are active
Fibonacci Retracement Confluence
Recent price swings show Fibonacci retracement levels aligning with the above zones, adding confidence to those areas. For instance, the rally from the last 4H swing low (around 3325) up to the recent high (~3385) has a 50%–61.8% Fibonacci retracement roughly in the 3340–3355 range. Fibonacci levels often pinpoint where price might stall or reverse during a pullback, and indeed this $3,340-$3,355 support zone corresponds to the popular 50%–61.8% retracement band – a prime spot where bargain-hunting buyers could step in.
In an uptrend, a pullback to these Fib levels is considered a healthy correction rather than a trend change. Thus, if gold dips to that area, many bulls will be watching for a bounce. On the flip side, if gold extends higher, Fibonacci extension levels suggest the 3400+ region might be a measured move target (for example, 100% extension of the last pullback lands near 3400). This reinforces that the 3385–3415 supply zone is a critical hurdle. In summary, Fibonacci analysis supports the idea that mid-$3300s is a value zone for buyers, while around $3400 is a potential exhaustion area for the current upswing.
Smart Money Concepts (SMC) Insights
From a Smart Money Concepts perspective, institutional footprints are visible on the chart. The ongoing bullish structure (higher lows, no lower low yet) means no CHOCH (trend change) has occurred
Smart money likely continues to favor longs until a key low breaks. We can identify a possible bullish Order Block in the 3340 area, which is essentially the last small bearish candle on 4H before the strong push up
This order block (an institutional buy zone) overlaps with our demand zone, suggesting big players placed buy orders around 3340. If price revisits that zone, it could ignite another rally as those orders get filled. There are also liquidity considerations in play: Above $3,400, there may be clusters of buy stop orders (from breakout traders or short stops) – what SMC traders call buy-side liquidity.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see gold spike above 3400 to grab that liquidity (stop-loss hunt) before either accelerating higher or sharply reversing. Conversely, below $3,340, many bulls likely have stop-losses (sell orders) – sell-side liquidity resting under support.
A quick dip under S2 (liquidity grab) followed by a recovery would actually be a bullish signature (a bear trap by smart money). However, if price breaks significantly below 3325 and holds, that would mark a bearish CHOCH (first real trend change signal) and indicate the smart money possibly switching to selling rallies. Until then, the path of least resistance is still up. Any fair value gaps (imbalances) left from the rapid rise may exist around 3360 (for example), but so far gold has been backfilling these moves, keeping the trend steady.
Potential Trading Setups (4H Outlook)
Given the above analysis, here are two possible trade ideas on the 4H timeframe – one bullish and one bearish – with high-conviction zones in focus:
Bullish Buy Setup (Buy the Dip):
A pullback into the 3355–3340 support demand zone could offer a buying opportunity. This area has multiple factors of confluence: pivot S1/S2 supports, a Fibonacci 50–61.8% retracement, and an order block. If gold’s price action shows a clear reversal here (for example, a bullish engulfing candle or double bottom on 1H/4H), buyers can consider going long. The upside targets would be a return to 3385 (R1), with stretch targets near 3400–3415 (R2/R3). A prudent stop-loss could be placed just below 3325 (just under S3 and below the demand zone) to avoid a deeper reversal. This setup aligns with the prevailing uptrend (trading with the trend) and aims to “buy low” in the value zone.
Bearish Sell Setup (Sell the Rally):
If gold surges into the 3385–3402 resistance supply zone without slowing, traders should watch for signs of buyer exhaustion. In a still-range-bound market or if momentum wanes near the top, one might consider a short position in this zone if bearish signals emerge (e.g. a 4H shooting star candle, bearish divergence, or a minor BOS downward on lower timeframe). The idea is that smart money could use the liquidity above 3385/3400 to sell into. Initial downside targets could be the pivot area around 3370 and then the 3355 support. A stop-loss would ideally be just above 3415 (clear of the R3 level), in case gold breaks out to new highs. This counter-trend style trade is riskier since the 4H trend is up, so it’s crucial to wait for confirmation of a reversal before selling. Essentially, you’d be selling high at known resistance, but only if the market shows it can’t push further.
Both setups hinge on patience and confirmation. Rather than blindly picking tops or bottoms, let the price action confirm that the zone is holding. Remember that support and resistance levels are zones, not exact lines – price can wick through slightly before reversing. Always manage risk carefully.
Key Levels Snapshot
Pivot: 3370
R1: 3385 – R2: 3402 – R3: 3415
S1: 3355 – S2: 3340 – S3: 3325 These levels are derived from the classic pivot point formul, using recent price data. The pivot point at 3370 is the average of the previous session’s high, low, and close.
Trading above this pivot supports a bullish bias, while below it turns the bias bearish.
The R1/R2/R3 levels mark successive resistance hurdles above the pivot, and S1/S2/S3 mark support floors below it. Traders often use these as guideposts for intraday moves.
Takeaway:
Gold’s 4H chart shows bullish momentum with key support in the mid-$3300s and resistance near $3400. It’s wise to trade the reaction at these zones – buy dips near support in an uptrend, or sell rallies at resistance if momentum fades. In all cases, wait for price to confirm direction and stick to your trading plan. Happy trading!
Gold (XAU/USD) is trading around $3,383, showing a generally bullish market structure on the 4-hour chart. The price has been making higher highs (HH) and higher lows (HL) – a classic uptrend pattern
Recently, bulls broke above a notable resistance level (a Break of Structure, or BOS), confirming continued upside momentum
So far no Change of Character (CHOCH) signal (which would require a lower low to hint at a trend reversal, meaning the uptrend remains intact. Gold is also trading above its daily pivot point (3370), reflecting a bullish intraday bias
Overall, sentiment on the 4H timeframe is positive unless key support levels give way.
Key Support & Resistance Zones (Demand vs. Supply)
Support (Demand Zones): Immediate support lies in the 3355 – 3340 region (marked by S1 and S2). This zone lines up with prior price congestion and is viewed as a demand zone, where buyers have historically stepped in
In fact, multiple support levels cluster here (e.g. previous lows and trendline intersection), creating a broad buy zone. The idea is that as price dips into this area, buy orders are likely waiting, and the deeper it goes into the zone, the more attractive it becomes for bulls
If 3340 fails, the next support is around 3325 (S3), another potential demand area where gold found a footing earlier. Traders will watch these support zones for bullish reversal signals (like a strong bounce or candlestick patterns) to confirm that demand is indeed active. Resistance (Supply Zones): On the upside, initial resistance is seen at 3385 (R1), with a stronger supply zone around 3400 (roughly the R2 3402 level). Here, multiple technical levels overlap – including a recent swing high and a psychological round number. This convergence of resistances creates a supply zone where sellers may be waiting.
As gold approaches 3385–3402, it’s likely to encounter profit-taking or new short positions. If price does punch through 3400, the next resistance is around 3415 (R3), which could attract even more selling interest. Within the 3385–3415 zone, expect price to possibly stall or reverse, unless bulls muster a strong breakout. Traders should be cautious about bullish positions as price nears this supply area, and watch for any bearish reversal clues (like wicks or a double-top) indicating that sellers are active
Fibonacci Retracement Confluence
Recent price swings show Fibonacci retracement levels aligning with the above zones, adding confidence to those areas. For instance, the rally from the last 4H swing low (around 3325) up to the recent high (~3385) has a 50%–61.8% Fibonacci retracement roughly in the 3340–3355 range. Fibonacci levels often pinpoint where price might stall or reverse during a pullback, and indeed this $3,340-$3,355 support zone corresponds to the popular 50%–61.8% retracement band – a prime spot where bargain-hunting buyers could step in.
In an uptrend, a pullback to these Fib levels is considered a healthy correction rather than a trend change. Thus, if gold dips to that area, many bulls will be watching for a bounce. On the flip side, if gold extends higher, Fibonacci extension levels suggest the 3400+ region might be a measured move target (for example, 100% extension of the last pullback lands near 3400). This reinforces that the 3385–3415 supply zone is a critical hurdle. In summary, Fibonacci analysis supports the idea that mid-$3300s is a value zone for buyers, while around $3400 is a potential exhaustion area for the current upswing.
Smart Money Concepts (SMC) Insights
From a Smart Money Concepts perspective, institutional footprints are visible on the chart. The ongoing bullish structure (higher lows, no lower low yet) means no CHOCH (trend change) has occurred
Smart money likely continues to favor longs until a key low breaks. We can identify a possible bullish Order Block in the 3340 area, which is essentially the last small bearish candle on 4H before the strong push up
This order block (an institutional buy zone) overlaps with our demand zone, suggesting big players placed buy orders around 3340. If price revisits that zone, it could ignite another rally as those orders get filled. There are also liquidity considerations in play: Above $3,400, there may be clusters of buy stop orders (from breakout traders or short stops) – what SMC traders call buy-side liquidity.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see gold spike above 3400 to grab that liquidity (stop-loss hunt) before either accelerating higher or sharply reversing. Conversely, below $3,340, many bulls likely have stop-losses (sell orders) – sell-side liquidity resting under support.
A quick dip under S2 (liquidity grab) followed by a recovery would actually be a bullish signature (a bear trap by smart money). However, if price breaks significantly below 3325 and holds, that would mark a bearish CHOCH (first real trend change signal) and indicate the smart money possibly switching to selling rallies. Until then, the path of least resistance is still up. Any fair value gaps (imbalances) left from the rapid rise may exist around 3360 (for example), but so far gold has been backfilling these moves, keeping the trend steady.
Potential Trading Setups (4H Outlook)
Given the above analysis, here are two possible trade ideas on the 4H timeframe – one bullish and one bearish – with high-conviction zones in focus:
Bullish Buy Setup (Buy the Dip):
A pullback into the 3355–3340 support demand zone could offer a buying opportunity. This area has multiple factors of confluence: pivot S1/S2 supports, a Fibonacci 50–61.8% retracement, and an order block. If gold’s price action shows a clear reversal here (for example, a bullish engulfing candle or double bottom on 1H/4H), buyers can consider going long. The upside targets would be a return to 3385 (R1), with stretch targets near 3400–3415 (R2/R3). A prudent stop-loss could be placed just below 3325 (just under S3 and below the demand zone) to avoid a deeper reversal. This setup aligns with the prevailing uptrend (trading with the trend) and aims to “buy low” in the value zone.
Bearish Sell Setup (Sell the Rally):
If gold surges into the 3385–3402 resistance supply zone without slowing, traders should watch for signs of buyer exhaustion. In a still-range-bound market or if momentum wanes near the top, one might consider a short position in this zone if bearish signals emerge (e.g. a 4H shooting star candle, bearish divergence, or a minor BOS downward on lower timeframe). The idea is that smart money could use the liquidity above 3385/3400 to sell into. Initial downside targets could be the pivot area around 3370 and then the 3355 support. A stop-loss would ideally be just above 3415 (clear of the R3 level), in case gold breaks out to new highs. This counter-trend style trade is riskier since the 4H trend is up, so it’s crucial to wait for confirmation of a reversal before selling. Essentially, you’d be selling high at known resistance, but only if the market shows it can’t push further.
Both setups hinge on patience and confirmation. Rather than blindly picking tops or bottoms, let the price action confirm that the zone is holding. Remember that support and resistance levels are zones, not exact lines – price can wick through slightly before reversing. Always manage risk carefully.
Key Levels Snapshot
Pivot: 3370
R1: 3385 – R2: 3402 – R3: 3415
S1: 3355 – S2: 3340 – S3: 3325 These levels are derived from the classic pivot point formul, using recent price data. The pivot point at 3370 is the average of the previous session’s high, low, and close.
Trading above this pivot supports a bullish bias, while below it turns the bias bearish.
The R1/R2/R3 levels mark successive resistance hurdles above the pivot, and S1/S2/S3 mark support floors below it. Traders often use these as guideposts for intraday moves.
Takeaway:
Gold’s 4H chart shows bullish momentum with key support in the mid-$3300s and resistance near $3400. It’s wise to trade the reaction at these zones – buy dips near support in an uptrend, or sell rallies at resistance if momentum fades. In all cases, wait for price to confirm direction and stick to your trading plan. Happy trading!
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Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.