BRIAN XAUUSD – GOLD HOLDS THE UPTREND BEFORE NFP

Gold is attracting buyers again after the previous pullback, but the market is not completely free yet.

Price is still trading inside a rising structure, supported by the short-term uptrend channel. However, with NFP coming, traders should be careful. Geopolitical risk, inflation concerns, and Fed rate expectations are still supporting the US dollar, which can limit gold’s upside if the data comes stronger than expected.

The chart is bullish, but confirmation still matters.

Technical structure

On the H1 chart, gold is holding above the Buy zone POC around 4,242. This is the key value area where buyers are defending the current structure.

As long as price stays above 4,242, the bullish continuation remains valid and gold can attempt another push towards the recent high around 4,304.

If buyers break above 4,304 with strong acceptance, the next upside extension can continue along the upper trendline.

However, the bearish confirmation support level around 4,223 is the line that should not be ignored. If gold loses this area, the current bullish structure weakens and price may rotate deeper towards the Buy swing zone around 4,163.

Important zones

Buy zone POC: 4,242
Main value support and preferred buy-reaction area.

Bearish confirmation support: 4,223
Key level that decides whether bullish momentum stays alive.

Buy swing zone: 4,163
Deeper support if price breaks below the current structure.

Recent high: 4,304
First major upside target.

Uptrend channel:
Bullish structure remains valid while price respects the channel.

Trading scenario

Buy reaction from Buy zone POC 4,242

Entry:
Look for buy positions only if price pulls back into 4,242 and shows clear bullish rejection.

Stop Loss:
Below the Buy zone POC or below 4,223 if the structure weakens.

Take Profit:
TP1: 4,304
TP2: 4,330
TP3: Trail higher only if buyers maintain acceptance above the recent high

This setup follows the current bullish structure, but because NFP is ahead, confirmation is more important than speed.

Final view

Gold is still holding the uptrend, and buyers remain active around the 4,242 POC zone.

But the market is entering a news-sensitive area. If gold holds 4,242 and breaks 4,304, the bullish wave can continue. If price loses 4,223, the market may need a deeper reset before buyers return.

For now, I prefer buying confirmed pullbacks, not chasing the high before NFP.

The trend is bullish.
The risk is news volatility.
The key is whether buyers can defend 4,242.

Would you buy the POC retest, or wait for NFP to clear the direction first?