Gold (XAU/USD) experienced a sharp bearish move during the FOMC on Wednesday, July 30. The price swept the Previous Day High (PDH) around $3,336, triggering buy-side liquidity before reversing strongly into a deep sell-off that nearly touched the Previous Day Low (PDL) at $3,268. The current price sits around $3,295.88, ranging within the Asian session range.
Chart Reference:

Ads:
- 📈 Open a LIVE Trading Account with Vantage Markets
- 🔐 Get RedotPay Crypto Wallet & Card for Transactions
- 🤖 Automate your Trades with our AI powered services
- 🎓 Free Mini Course to Start Trading – Beginner’s Guide
🧠 Smart Money Structure
| Structure Element | Analysis |
|---|---|
| PDH Sweep | Price ran through buy stops above $3,336 before collapsing — classic liquidity grab. |
| Displacement Down | Sharp bearish move during NY-London overlap shows Smart Money intent. |
| PDL Respect | Price nearly hit $3,268 (PDL), reacting with bullish defense — sign of short-term value zone. |
| Current Range | Consolidation in Asia session suggests Smart Money is setting up the next leg. |
🌍 Session Outlook
| Session | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Asia | Range-bound between $3,284 – $3,300, prepping liquidity. |
| London | Possible sweep of Asia high ($3,300–$3,305), then reversal. |
| New York | Smart Money move expected — continuation of FOMC narrative unless invalidated. |
📰 Market Drivers & News Outlook
| Time (BST) | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 18:30 | NY Session Open | High volatility expected post-FOMC. |
| 20:30 | US Jobless Claims | Moderate impact; could add fuel to direction. |
| – | FOMC Aftermath | Traders still repositioning; expect major moves. |
📊 Trade Plans (ICT Logic)
📉 Primary Trade Idea – Bearish Bias
Sell the rally into premium zones created after FOMC.
- Entry Zone: $3,300–$3,305 (Asia high / NY premium)
- Confirmation: Bearish rejection (breaker block or M5–M15 structure break)
- Stop Loss: Above $3,308
- Target 1: $3,284 (Asia Low)
- Target 2: $3,268 (PDL)
- Target 3: $3,255–$3,245 (Measured Move / FVG fill)
🟢 Alternate Bullish Scenario – Only on Breakout Above $3,312
Only consider this if NY session breaks and closes above $3,312 with displacement.
- Entry: Pullback to FVG / OB after bullish BOS
- Target: $3,336 (PDH)
🎯 Final Bias – ICT Narrative
“Gold swept PDH at $3,336 during FOMC, delivering strong bearish displacement. Unless we see a decisive reclaim of $3,312+, the market is likely to continue lower. Expect Smart Money to sell into any intraday rallies around $3,300–$3,305 with targets toward the PDL at $3,268 and below.”

