Gold prices remain under pressure near the lower edge of their daily range, influenced by several factors. The U.S. dollar has paused its corrective pullback from the nearly three-month high reached yesterday, supported by expectations of a more gradual rate reduction by the Federal Reserve. Simultaneously, a positive risk sentiment undermines the growth of the precious metal, traditionally considered a safe-haven asset.

However, the ongoing decline in U.S. Treasury yields is preventing dollar bulls from adopting aggressive positions. Additionally, political uncertainty in the U.S. ahead of the presidential elections on November 5, and escalating tensions in the Middle East, may lend moderate support to the precious metal.

For trading opportunities today, focus on U.S. macroeconomic data, including durable goods orders and the revised University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index.

From a technical perspective, recent price action on short-term charts has formed a bearish "head and shoulders" pattern. The neckline support of this pattern is situated around the $2,707 level, which now serves as strong support. Any further selling that drives the price below the psychological level of $2,700 would pave the way for deeper losses, pulling the price down to the $2,685 support level, with the potential to extend further towards the $2,662 level.

On the other hand, the $2,740 level has emerged as an immediate strong barrier. Sustained strength beyond this region would invalidate the "head and shoulders" pattern, allowing the precious metal to target a retest of the historical high around $2,758, which was reached earlier this week. A subsequent upward movement could push the XAU/USD pair towards the psychological level of $2,800.