Gold prices declined on Monday, influenced by a stronger US dollar and renewed concerns about inflation. Escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which led to a surge in oil prices, contributed to the downward pressure on gold.
Market Reactions to Geopolitical Events
The US took control of an Iranian cargo ship on Sunday, prompting Iran to announce retaliatory measures. This heightened fears of renewed conflict and caused oil prices to jump approximately 5%. The dollar index strengthened, making gold, which is priced in US dollars, more expensive for buyers using other currencies. Benchmark 10-year US Treasury yields also increased, further diminishing the appeal of non-yielding gold.
Analysis and Outlook
Analysts at Bybit noted that the surge in oil prices, driven by the events surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, has intensified inflation risks, overshadowing gold’s traditional role as a safe-haven asset. They anticipate that spot gold will remain below $5,000 unless there are significant and sustained de-escalations in the ongoing conflict. However, Nikos Tzabouras, a senior market analyst at Tradu.com, pointed out that structural demand drivers, such as central bank buying and de-dollarization trends, could still provide support for bullion.
Performance of Other Metals
Spot silver decreased by 2.1% to $79.07 per ounce. Platinum fell 1.7% to $2,066.90, and palladium was down 1.6% at $1,533.64.
Published on April 20, 2026
