Federal Reserve 14 January 2026 - 17 January 2026

Gold slipped over 1% on Friday as investors locked in gains following a surge to record levels, with easing geopolitical tensions undercutting demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold dropped 0.5% to $4,592.29 an ounce by 1:39 p.m. ET, after hitting a low of $4,536.49 earlier. February U.S. gold futures closed 0.6% lower at $4,595.40. Marex analyst Edward Meir noted a broad pullback across commodities after weeks of strong gains, pointing out that reduced conflict in the Middle East had pared back some of gold’s “geopolitical premium.”

Gold slipped on Friday as investors cashed in gains following recent record highs, while signs of easing geopolitical tensions dulled some of the metal’s appeal as a safe haven. Spot gold dropped 0.2% to $4,606.54 an ounce by 9:14 a.m. ET, still poised for a second straight weekly rise of roughly 2.1% after hitting a record $4,642.72 on Wednesday. U.S. February gold futures edged down 0.3% to $4,610.70. “It’s a general retreat in the commodity complex,” said Marex analyst Edward Meir, highlighting profit-taking and de-escalation in the Middle East. Data from LSEG showed markets pricing in a first quarter-point rate cut in June, while physical demand in India remained soft and China premiums stayed firm ahead of the Lunar New Year.