Market update: risk sentiment recovers as AUD/USD, oil, and gold stabilise
Risk appetite attempts a recovery as the Australian Dollar, oil, and gold react to changing market conditions. Discover the latest retail trader sentiment for AUD/USD, US crude oil, and gold.
![Adobe gold](http://a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/news-article-image-folder/Adobe_gold_dust_07-30-2024.jpeg/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)
Markets stabilise as volatility subsides and commodities rally
Monday witnessed a calmer start to the trading week compared to the previous one. The brief panic has lessened, with the Volatility Index (VIX) declining from 65 to just over 20 ahead of the New York open. The Australian dollar, often viewed as a risk asset due to its correlation with the S&P 500, has shown signs of recovery in recent sessions.
Oil, a barometer for the global economy, continues its recovery after a prolonged sell-off. Gold, known for its rise during geopolitical uncertainty, also attempted a return to its all-time high. As central banks consider easing tight monetary policy, gold becomes more appealing because it is a non-yielding asset and becomes relatively more attractive when interest rates are lower.
Gold technical analysis
Retail trader data shows a slight preference for long positions in gold, with 54.26% of traders net-long and a long-to-short ratio of 1.19 to 1. Net-long positions have increased by 1.07% since yesterday and 12.29% from last week, while net-short positions have risen by 3.25% since yesterday and 6.33% from last week.
A contrarian view on crowd sentiment suggests potential downside for gold prices, but mixed signals. The contrarian view indicated, "less net-long than yesterday but more net-long than last week" and recent changes in positioning complicate the trading outlook for gold.
Gold client positioning chart
![Gold client positioning](http://a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/au/images/News-and-articles/1dfx13aug.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)
US crude oil technical analysis
An overwhelming 82.73% of retail traders are net-long on US crude oil, with a long-to-short ratio of 4.79 to 1. Net-long traders have slightly increased by 1.78% from yesterday, though they have decreased by 5.84% from last week. Net-short traders have increased by 2.86% since yesterday and by a significant 36.39% from last week.
Our contrarian stance on crowd sentiment suggests further declines in US crude prices might occur. However, a decrease in net-long positions over the week, coupled with a significant increase in net-short positions, suggests a potential upward price reversal despite the prevailing net-long bias.
US crude oil client positioning chart
![US crude oil client positioning](http://a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/au/images/News-and-articles/2dfx13aug.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)
AUD/USD technical analysis
Retail trader data shows a significant long position bias in the AUD/USD market, with 73.38% of traders net-long. The ratio of long to short traders stands at 2.76 to 1. There has been a 3.49% increase in net-long traders since yesterday, but a 7.34% decrease from last week. Net-short traders have increased by 8.12% since yesterday and a substantial 65.38% from last week.
Although we typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment by suggesting AUD/USD prices may continue to fall, the reduction in net-long positions and an increase in net-short positions hint at a possible reversal to the upside, despite the overall net-long bias.
AUD/USD client positioning chart
![AUD/USD client positioning](http://a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/au/images/News-and-articles/dfx313aug.png/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)
- This information has been prepared by DailyFX, the partner site of IG offering leading forex news and analysis. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Australia Pty Ltd. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
![](http://a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/Rebrand/Article_banners/Commodities-global-component-banner.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)
Speculate on commodities
Trade commodity futures, as well as 27 commodity markets with no fixed expiries.1
- Wide range of popular and niche metals, energies and softs
- Spreads from 0.3 pts on Spot Gold, 2 pts on Spot Silver and 2.8 pts on Oil
- View continuous charting, backdated for up to five years
1In the case of all DFBs, there is a fixed expiry at some point in the future.
Put learning into action
Try out what you’ve learned in this commodities strategy article in your demo account.
Ready to trade commodities?
Put the lessons in this article to use in a live account – upgrading is quick and easy.
- Deal on our wide range of major and niche commodities
- Protect your capital with risk management tools
- Get some of the best spreads on the market – trade Spot Gold from 0.3 points
Inspired to trade?
Put what you’ve learned in this article into practice. Log in to your account now.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Forex
- Shares
- Indices