STEEL-NERVE SETUP – ARE WE RE-LIVING GOLD’S 2020 BEAR-TRAP?

Retail sentiment is ultra-bearish, positioning is cooling, Silver is outperforming and the S&P 500 is screaming risk-on … exactly the cocktail we saw in June 2020, right before Gold & Silver exploded higher.

1️⃣ WHY THIS FEELS LIKE 2020 AGAIN
2025 (now) 2020 (pre-rally) Read-through
> 70 % of TradingView ideas are bearish 💬 > 60 % were bearish Crowd may be offsides again
Managed-money net-longs -18 % from April peak 📉 -25 % from March peak Powder for fresh longs
First monthly ETF outflow (-$1.8 bn) 🚪 Record inflows Capitulation, not euphoria
Gold/Silver ratio down to 94 ⚖️ Fell to 95 Silver leadership = bottoming tell
S&P 500 at new ATH 📈 S&P at new ATH Risk-on backdrop identical

2️⃣ WHAT’S DIFFERENT THIS TIME
Real 10-y TIPS yield +0.7 % (2020: -1 %) → smaller monetary tail-wind.
Gold already at inflation-adjusted ATH → upside could be shorter & sharper, not a fresh super-cycle (yet).

3️⃣ CHECKLIST FOR A REAL BEAR-TRAP
Signal Watch-level
Gold holds $3 200–3 250 (100-d SMA + fib) Daily close above zone
Gold/Silver ratio breaks < 90 Momentum confirmation
CFTC net-longs < 150 k Position flush
ETF flows turn positive Fear → FOMO
S&P stumbles / vols spike Classic risk-bid for Gold
Need 3 of 5 boxes ticked to validate the squeeze thesis.

4️⃣ CATALYST CALENDAR
3 Jul – NFP: sub-75 k print could fire the opening salvo.
9 Jul – Tariff freeze decision: escalation would revive safe-haven demand.
15 Jul – CPI & 30-31 Jul – FOMC: dovish turn + soft data could complete the squeeze.

Disclaimer: This post reflects my personal opinion for educational purposes only; it is not financial advice. Trading futures and commodities involves substantial risk and can lead to total loss of capital—do your own research (DYOR) and consult a qualified professional before acting.