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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

​​​​Gold falters but Brent crude and natural gas prices make headway

While gold has suffered losses thanks to a stronger dollar, both oil and natural gas prices are moving higher.

Brent crude oil Source: Bloomberg

​​​Gold pushed down by rising US dollar

​Gold’s rally has stalled since late-December, hit by a strengthening US dollar.

​​The pullback from the late-December high continues, and now the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) is coming into view as possible support once more. Thursday saw the price slip below the mid-December high of $2048, and this might catalyse fresh selling pressure.

Bulls will need a close back above $2065 to indicate that the pullback of the past week has run its course.

Spot Gold Daily Source: ProRealTime
Spot Gold Daily Source: ProRealTime

​Brent off the recent lows

​The price staged an impressive rally from a three-week low on Tuesday, moving back above $76 as signs of fresh attacks in the Red Sea raised fears of more disruption to global shipping.

​The bounce continued in more muted fashion on Thursday, though the price was unable to hold on to all its gains, and a more indecisive tone prevailed. Nonetheless, a test of the declining 50-day SMA seems likely, and then the December high around $81 comes into view.

​A reversal back below $76 sees the price challenge this week’s low, and then below this, the December low at $72.52 comes into play.

Brent Crude Daily Source: ProRealTime
Brent Crude Daily Source: ProRealTime

​Natural Gas moves above 200-day MA

​Natural gas has enjoyed a solid performance over the past month, rallying off its six-and-a-half month low and climbing back above the 200-day SMA.

​After the huge declines since the end of October, a lower high is still a major risk here, and the price might yet reverse course below the 50-day SMA.

​A break below 2540 would see the price back below trendline support from the December lows and revive the short-term bearish view.

Natural Gas Daily Source: ProRealTime
Natural Gas Daily Source: ProRealTime

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