Gold’s rebound has a problem. Here’s what happens next

Gold prices are retreating after a quarterly slump, marking their worst performance in over a decade. Coverage attributes the decline to a combination of a stronger U.S. dollar and heightened expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate hikes, which diminish the appeal of non-yielding assets like gold. Silver has also weakened under similar pressures, according to KITCO and Reuters.

Financial media outlets, including the *Financial Times* and *thestreet.com*, emphasize the shift from retail-driven demand to broader macroeconomic factors. The Fed’s policy adjustments and dollar strength are overshadowing traditional safe-haven demand, with analysts now focusing on whether the trend will persist amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. Reuters and the *Financial Times* highlight the quarter’s underperformance as a key indicator of investor caution.

Watch for potential shifts in Fed communication or unexpected geopolitical developments that could reignite safe-haven demand. Analysts may also reassess whether gold’s long-term appeal as a hedge against inflation remains intact amid rising U.S. yields, per *thestreet.com*’s outlook.