Trade XAU/USD
Gold / US Dollar
Gold priced in US dollars per troy ounce. Tracks real interest rates, central bank buying, and risk sentiment across global markets.
Specifications
About Gold (XAU/USD)
Gold is the most widely traded precious metal and a classic safe-haven asset. Priced in US dollars per troy ounce, XAU/USD tends to rise when real interest rates fall, inflation expectations climb, or geopolitical uncertainty intensifies. Central banks around the world hold gold as a reserve asset, and their buying and selling patterns can influence longer-term price trends.
Key Price Drivers
- US real yields and Federal Reserve interest rate expectations
- Inflation data and inflation-adjusted bond yields
- Central bank gold reserve purchases
- Geopolitical risk and safe-haven demand
Peak Trading Hours
Gold trades nearly 24 hours on weekdays. Volume peaks during the London and New York sessions.
London-New York overlap (13:00-17:00 UTC)
The LBMA AM fix (10:30 London time) and PM fix (15:00 London time) can create short-term price clusters.
How to Trade XAUUSD on StoicFX
Open an Account
Register for a live or demo account in minutes.
Fund Your Account
Deposit via bank transfer, card, crypto, or e-wallet.
Find XAUUSD in MT5
Open MetaTrader 5, search for XAUUSD in Market Watch, and add it to your chart.
Place Your Trade
Set your lot size, stop loss, and take profit, then execute your order.
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FAQ
What is XAU/USD?
XAU/USD is the ticker symbol for gold priced in US dollars per troy ounce. XAU is gold's ISO 4217 currency code, a reference to its historical role as money.
How do interest rates affect gold?
Higher real interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding gold (which pays no yield), so gold typically falls when real rates rise and rallies when they fall.
Why do traders use gold as a hedge?
Gold carries no counterparty risk and has preserved purchasing power across centuries of monetary upheaval. Traders and institutions use it to hedge against inflation, currency debasement, and geopolitical instability. Central banks worldwide hold gold in their reserves for the same reasons, and their ongoing purchases provide a structural floor under demand.
What is the contract size for gold on StoicFX?
One standard lot of XAU/USD represents 100 troy ounces of gold. At $2,500 per ounce, a full lot has a notional value of $250,000. StoicFX also supports mini lots (0.1 = 10 oz) and micro lots (0.01 = 1 oz), letting you scale your gold exposure to match your account size.
Start Trading XAU/USD
Open a live account or practice risk-free on demo.
CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of rapid capital loss due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.