Recent price action in gold suggests that the precious yellow metal might be forming a base at just above $1300 per ounce. The most recent rally, which began in mid-December, took pricing from $1238 to $1327 before finding resistance.

The fact that gold pricing is trading under pressure is not a big surprise, and actually can be viewed as a well-needed pause in the rally currently underway. After trading to $1238 per ounce in mid-December of last year, gold prices have gained almost $90 before hitting resistance at $1327 late last week.

In an article penned in MarketWatch today by Myra Saefong, she looks back at historical data to conclude that the rally which began on December 12 of last year up until Friday logged the longest stretch of consecutive gains in gold futures on record. She is comparing it to a point in time in which gains in gold futures resulted in 10 consecutive gains in July 2011.

Even with today’s tepid jobs report numbers, U.S. equities continued their historic climb, once again closing at a new record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average breached 25,000 yesterday, and the enormous bullish sentiment drove the Dow over 200 points higher. As of 3:50 PM Eastern standard time, the Dow is trading up about 211 points at 25,284.

The number to focus on today is the number 10. Gold traders are witnessing a run on the precious yellow metal, now in its 10^th day for consecutive price gains. The last time traders witnessed ten consecutive trading days resulting in higher prices was back in 2011.

When it comes to market sentiment, many traders believe their focus should be on now rather than later. It seems the overwhelming majority believe in focusing on data and events which are influencing markets currently, rather than focusing on future events. At least this sentiment appears standard as far as the Federal Reserve is concerned.

Gold ended 2017 on a strong and solid note with consistent daily gains throughout the final trading days of last year. The rally, which began on December 11th of last year when gold prices hit an intraday low of $1238 per ounce, continues into the New Year.

For the third consecutive week, gold has rallied. This culminates with today’s nine dollar move, effectively taking prices above $1300 on a closing basis. Beginning in mid-December when the former correction ran its course, gold has closed higher week in and week out. The net result of this rally, when added to gains realized in 2017, is a 13% increase in value.

Gold declined throughout the first part of this month up until the lows achieved on December 11^th. At this time, prices traded to the monthly low of $1238 per ounce. From that point forward, gold prices steadily gained value, gaining almost $60 in the second half December. For gold traders, there were undoubtedly 12 days of Christmas this year.

Precious metals continue to gain value, with gold on track for a stellar monthly performance. Gold prices have been moving consistently higher since December 11, when prices bottomed at $1238 an ounce.