12.17 Afternoon Gold, Silver, and Crude Oil Trading Strategies: Find opportunities in range-bound markets, prioritize risk control!

Hello traders! Let’s get straight to the point and discuss the trading ideas for today’s three major commodities: gold, silver, and crude oil. Yesterday’s market was quite active, with non-farm payrolls causing turbulence and progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Currently, the market rhythm is a bit chaotic. The core focus this afternoon is still “trading within the range and controlling risk.” Avoid blindly chasing highs or lows~

First, look at gold. Yesterday was a typical “jumping up and down” day. After the non-farm data was released, prices surged near 4330, but quickly retreated, closing just above 4300. The daily chart also shows a long upper shadow, indicating strong selling pressure above. From the current situation, short-term is still a range-bound pattern, roughly between 4270-4335. This range is critical; if it cannot be broken, trade high at the top and buy low at the bottom. The trading plan for the afternoon is clear: consider going long on dips around 4275-4280 with a stop below 4260, as 4250-4270 is a strong support zone. If broken, it indicates continued weakness. If prices rebound to around 4330-4335, consider small short positions with a stop at 4345, targeting 4300-4290 first, then look further down if it breaks lower to 4280. Remember not to enter trades at mid-range prices blindly; wait for support or resistance levels to be confirmed. After the non-farm shock, patience is more important than anything.

Next, silver. This asset is slightly stronger than gold, maintaining its main gains overnight. Currently, the March contract is fluctuating around 63.28. Technically, short-term strength is evident, but it remains within a range. The resistance above is at 65.00, a key level from previous highs; only a breakout above that can target 70.00. Support below is at 63.00; if broken, expect a correction down to around 62.50. The afternoon trading can follow gold’s rhythm: buy low on dips between 62.80-63.00 with a stop at 62.30, targeting 64.50-65.00. If it encounters resistance around 64.80-65.00, consider small short positions with a stop at 65.30, aiming for 63.50-63.20. Silver is more volatile than gold, so position sizes must be controlled. Don’t be greedy.

Finally, crude oil. Yesterday was a “bloodbath” with WTI crude dropping below $55, hitting a new low since February 2021. Brent also fell below $60, mainly due to oversupply and the cooling of Russia-Ukraine peace talks reducing geopolitical risk premiums. This morning, prices stabilized slightly, but the overall bearish trend remains. The main strategy this afternoon is to sell on rebounds. The resistance zone to watch is 56.4-57.0, which was yesterday’s rebound resistance. If prices rebound to around 56.4, consider shorting; more conservative traders can wait until 57.0 to enter, with stops above 57.6. The initial target is 55.1, yesterday’s low; if broken, expect a move toward 54.0. Note that oil has already fallen into oversold territory, so a minor rebound or correction may occur. Do not chase shorts at the bottom; wait patiently for a rebound to resistance levels before entering. Keep a close eye on the latest news from Russia-Ukraine peace talks, as any sudden developments could disrupt the rhythm.

To summarize the core logic for this afternoon: gold and silver are moving within ranges, so focus on high sell and low buy; crude oil remains bearish, with rebounds used for shorting. Regardless of the instrument, always remember “stop-loss first.” Keep stops at $10-12 for gold and silver, around $0.6 for oil, to prevent large losses. Market conditions can change at any time. If key support or resistance levels are broken, adjust your strategy promptly instead of stubbornly holding on.

Wishing everyone a smooth trading afternoon, more gains and fewer losses! If you need real-time level updates or want to refine your strategy for a specific asset, just let me know~