XAU/USD ICT – August 12, 2025

Market Snapshot
Gold (XAU/USD) is trading at $3,354.32 after yesterday’s steep decline from the $3,368 area. Price is consolidating within the $3,342–$3,356 range following a sharp sell-off during London and New York AM sessions. Current intraday structure is mildly bullish after the New York PM session swept liquidity beneath $3,342.

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Smart Money Structure
The Asian session saw accumulation within a narrow range, forming a base for potential expansion.

New York PM session yesterday swept sell-side liquidity under $3,342, triggering a sharp rebound toward $3,350.

Today’s Asian session formed a higher low above $3,344, hinting at a possible short-term bullish corrective move.

Market structure turns bullish only if $3,356 is broken and held; otherwise, price remains vulnerable to retesting lower supports.

Session Outlook

Asian Session: Consolidation above $3,344 with liquidity build-up.
London Session: Watching for possible breakout toward $3,356 liquidity or a sweep back into $3,344.
New York Session Outlook:
- Holding above $3,350 could trigger a run toward $3,362–$3,368 supply.
- A failure at $3,356 resistance could see price roll back into $3,344–$3,342 demand.

Market Drivers & News Outlook
Traders are cautious ahead of U.S. CPI release tomorrow.

The Dollar Index is steady, with U.S. yields slightly firmer—creating mild headwinds for gold.

Price action shows smart money sweeping both sides of the range to engineer liquidity ahead of potential volatility tomorrow.

Trade Plans

Scenario 1 – Bullish Intraday Push:

Buy above $3,356 breakout with targets at $3,362–$3,368.
SL: Below $3,350 | TP1: $3,362 | TP2: $3,368.

Scenario 2 – Rejection at Resistance:

Sell if $3,356 rejects with bearish displacement back toward $3,344.
SL: Above $3,358 | TP1: $3,350 | TP2: $3,344.

Final Bias – ICT Narrative
Gold has found temporary footing after Monday’s deep sell-off, with liquidity swept beneath $3,342. If $3,356 gives way, smart money may engineer a retrace toward the $3,362–$3,368 area before CPI. Failure at $3,356 would likely trigger another liquidity grab toward $3,344.