Gold eases from 2-week high as economic recovery hopes grow

Gold prices inched lower on Wednesday, retreating from a two-week high hit in the previous session, as a raft of strong US data boosted hopes of a quick economic recovery.

FUNDAMENTALS

Spot gold was down 0.2% to $1,739.46 per ounce by 0127 GMT. Gold futures slipped 0.1% to $1,740.90 per ounce.

Bullion prices had jumped on Tuesday to their highest since March 25 at $1,745.15, as US Treasury yields fell and the dollar slipped to a two-week low against a basket of currencies.

Asia equities were set for a sluggish open on Wednesday after Wall Street pulled back from record highs reached in previous sessions.

In the latest string of robust economic data, US job openings rose to a two-year high in February while hiring picked up as strengthening domestic demand amid increased COVID-19 vaccinations and additional pandemic aid from the government boost companies' needs for more workers.

The International Monetary Fund raised its outlook for global economic growth, forecasting worldwide output would rise 6% this year.

SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings fell 0.4% to 1,029.04 tonnes on Tuesday from 1,032.83 tonnes on Monday.

Perth Mint's gold sales climbed to their highest since at least 2012 in March, the refiner said in a blog post.

Silver fell 0.3% to $25.10 and palladium was down 0.4% to $2,674.91.

Platinum rose 0.6% to $1,240.40.