Markets · Reference charts · Updated 14 Sep 2026

Gold's wild round trip, and the Fed's long pause

Two charts: how US spot gold has traded through 2026, and how the federal funds rate has moved since President Trump's second term began on 20 January 2025.

US spot gold, 2026

Month-end closing spot price, plus the latest trade. Gold round-tripped through an intraday high near $5,600 and a June low near $3,975 — and is now back close to where the year began.

Spot now (14 Sep)
$4,330
Year to date
≈ flat
From Jan peak (~$5,600)
-22.7%
From Jun low (~$3,975)
+8.6%
$5,500 $5,000 $4,500 $4,000 intraday high ≈$5,600 (29 Jan) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 14
Month-end spot close Intraday extreme (reported, not month-end)
Why the swing: a fear-and-safe-haven rally pushed gold to a record intraday high in late January before profit-taking, a steadier rate outlook and firmer risk appetite pulled it back through the spring and into a June trough — since partly retraced.

Federal funds rate, since 20 Jan 2025

The target range held steady for eight straight meetings, then was cut three times in a row to close 2025 — and has been on hold again for five meetings since.

Current target range
3.50–3.75%
Change since Jan '25
-75 bps
Cuts in the period
3
Next decision
16 Sep 2026
4.50% 4.25% 4.00% 3.75% 3.50% Warsh sworn in as Fed Chair ? Jan '25 Jul '25 Jan '26 Jul '26 Sep 14
Target range in effect Pending decision Fed Chair transition (May '26)
Meeting-by-meeting since inauguration:
  • Jan–Jul '25 Held at 4.25–4.50% across five straight meetings.
  • 17 Sep '25 Cut 25bps → 4.00–4.25%.
  • 29 Oct '25 Cut 25bps → 3.75–4.00%.
  • 10 Dec '25 Cut 25bps → 3.50–3.75%.
  • Jan–Jul '26 Held at 3.50–3.75% across five straight meetings (Jan, Mar, Apr, Jun, Jul).
  • 13/22 May '26 Kevin Warsh confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as Fed Chair, succeeding Jerome Powell.
  • 16 Sep '26 Next decision — outcome not yet known as of this page.