How Gold Traded the Last NFP: +$47, Then -$105
How gold traded the last US jobs report (NFP), Friday 2 October 2026: morning highs that stalled near $4,227, the 8:30 am New York release that spiked gold through them, the next hour's close back below, then entry, stop above the spike and a target at the Asian low.
Key points
The highs (1H, UTC): on Fri 2 Oct 2026 the 04:00-08:00 candles topped out at $4,221.0-4,226.8 before the release. The Asian low was $4,162.9 (01:00).
The release: NFP came out at 8:30 am New York (12:30 UTC). The 12:00 candle spiked from the $4,211.6 close before it to $4,259.0 and closed at $4,248.2.
The sweep: the 13:00 candle closed back below the morning highs at $4,221.2. Entry $4,221, stop $4,260 above the spike ($39 risk), target $4,163 just above the Asian low (about 1.5R). No later candle got above $4,226.6; the 15:00 candle reached $4,153.8, $105.2 below the spike.
A past example for education, not a signal. A release spike can also keep going, which is why the stop sits above the spike and many traders wait for the hourly close.
Chart data: COMEX gold futures 1-hour OHLC (UTC), 1-2 Oct 2026. Education only, not a signal.
Read more: Nfp jobs report · Liquidity Sweeps on XAUUSD: How Gold Stop Runs Work · Gold News Trading Strategy: A Playbook for FOMC, CPI, NFP and Other XAUUSD Events
Transcript
NFP day. Gold spiked $47. Then fell $105.
A liquidity sweep. Fake breakout.
Last jobs report, 2 October. Highs stall near $4,227. Buy stops sit just above.
8:30 New York. Gold rips to $4,259. Stops fire.
Next hour closes back below, $4,221. Trap.
Sell. Entry, $4,221. Stop above the spike, $4,260. Thirty-nine dollars risk.
Target, the Asian low, $4,163. Hit two hours later.
News spike. Sweep. Close back below. Entry. Stop. Next jobs report, wait for the close. More at xauusdglobal.com.
