Gold Tests $5,100 Ceiling as Bulls Defend Trend

    by VT Markets
    /
    Feb 16, 2026

    Key Points

    • Gold trades at $4,999.35, down 0.87%, after failing to break $5,100 resistance
    • Upward channel intact from $4,400 bounce; support seen near $4,900 and $4,640

    Gold remains structurally bullish on the daily chart, even as price action turns cautious near key resistance. Spot gold trades at $4,999.35, down $43.96 (-0.87%), while a separate reading shows the metal off 1.0% at $4,991.45. Despite the pullback, the broader trend that began after the bounce from $4,400 per ounce remains intact.

    Since rebounding from that $4,400 low, gold has carved out a rising channel defined by gradually higher lows. This structure continues to favour buyers, particularly while price holds above the lower boundary of the channel.

    However, momentum has stalled near $5,100, a level gold has tested multiple times without success. Each attempt above this zone has triggered profit-taking, signalling that sellers remain active near psychological resistance.

    Consolidation Within Strength

    Gold’s inability to clear $5,100 does not invalidate the broader bullish structure. Instead, it highlights the importance of momentum confirmation. Markets remain sensitive to macro catalysts, particularly US inflation data and Federal Reserve guidance.

    With traders still pricing in rate cuts later this year, the medium-term backdrop remains supportive for non-yielding assets. However, strong economic data can delay easing expectations and weigh on bullion in the short term.

    The current technical posture suggests that gold is consolidating gains after an extended rally rather than entering a sustained downtrend.

    Technical Analysis

    Gold (XAUUSD) is trading at $4,999.35, down 0.87%, as price slips back toward the psychological $5,000 level following the earlier rejection from the $5,598.60 peak.

    The daily structure remains broadly bullish, but momentum has clearly cooled, with price now hovering just below the 5-day MA (5014.25) while holding marginally above the 10-day MA (4978.59) and 20-day MA (4991.57) cluster.

    image

    This tight compression of short-term moving averages suggests consolidation rather than an outright reversal. The 30-day MA (4848.69) continues to trend upward, reinforcing medium-term support beneath current price action.

    A sustained hold above the $4,950–$4,980 region keeps the broader uptrend intact, while a decisive break below this zone could expose deeper retracement toward the $4,550 area. On the upside, reclaiming $5,050 would likely restore bullish momentum and reopen the path toward the recent highs.

    Market Implications

    As long as gold holds above $4,900, the upward channel remains valid and dip-buying interest may persist. A sustained break above $5,100 would likely trigger momentum buying and open the path toward the prior high near $5,598.60.

    Conversely, if price slips below $4,900, short-term bearish pressure could accelerate toward $4,640, where stronger structural support may emerge.

    Traders should watch price behaviour closely around these levels, as the next directional move will likely be driven by whether bulls can finally overcome resistance or bears force a deeper correction.

    Learn more about trading Precious Metals on VT Markets here.

    Back To Top
    server

    Hello there 👋

    How can I help you?

    Chat with our team instantly

    Live Chat

    Start a live conversation through...

    • Telegram
      hold On hold
    • Coming Soon...

    Hello there 👋

    How can I help you?

    telegram

    Scan the QR code with your smartphone to start a chat with us, or click here.

    Don’t have the Telegram App or Desktop installed? Use Web Telegram instead.

    QR code