Gold set for worst month since November 2016 on stronger dollar

Gold was set for its biggest monthly decline in nearly four years, led lower on Wednesday by a stronger dollar as caution returned to markets after the first U.S. presidential debate.

Spot gold fell 0.6pc to $1,886.78 per ounce by 0812 GMT, declining 4.2pc so far in the month in what would be its worst monthly performance since November 2016.

U.S. gold futures were down 0.5pc at $1,893.40.

The dollar index was up 0.1pc, en route to its biggest monthly gain since July 2019, making gold more expensive for holders of other currencies.

"The dollar's post-debate gains foiled gold's latest attempt to hit the psychologically important $1,900 handle," said FXTM market analyst Han Tan, adding that the currency was investors' favoured safe-haven asset now.

But he said, "should investors grow more concerned over the prospects of a delayed outcome to the elections, the extended political uncertainty could offer the metal another leg up over the coming weeks."

The debate in Cleveland turned chaotic as President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden battled fiercely over Trump's record on the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare and the economy.

"Investors bought gold to hedge risk ahead of the presidential debate. Now that it has passed without incident, those hedges are being unwound," said Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst at OANDA.

Also taking some shine off gold was upbeat Chinese data on manufacturing and services activity as market participants tracked progress on a new U.S. coronavirus relief bill.

"Gold has entered into a temporary consolidation phase but this may be a short-term correction in a long-term bull run, as we move towards a second U.S. fiscal stimulus," said Margaret Yang, a strategist with DailyFx, which covers currency, commodity and index trading.

Silver fell 1.5pc to $23.81 per ounce, platinum was down 1.6pc at $870.36 and palladium was up 0.1pc at$2,311.71.