After failing to break through the upper boundary of the down trend channel on Wednesday, gold sold off sharply yesterday, hitting a low of $1294 before recovering to close at $1305. The release of the FOMC minutes was an anti-climax, with no discernible reaction from the gold market.
The ongoing Government shutdown and looming debt ceiling deadline should provide some support to gold, though this has yet to materialise which is worrying for the bulls. There is a high likelihood that an agreement on these issues will see gold sell off sharply and this must be appreciated if taking a long position.
However the bulls will see some constructive action in the charts that suggests the worst of the downside may be over. For now, gold remains within a range, with $1277 at the bottom and $1330 at the top. A break out of this range should see a significant move develop.
Support can be found at $1300, $1292-1294, $1277 and $1272. A break below $1272 would suggest a swift return to $1180.
Resistance can be found at $1307, $1314-1316, $1322, $1330, $1338-1342, $1353, $1375, $1400 and $1434. A move above $1434 would be very bullish, suggesting a return to $1500 and beyond.