NEW YORK: Gold fell more than 1% on Tuesday after a jump in US producer prices fuelled expectations for sooner-than-expected interest rate hikes ahead of the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting. Spot gold fell 0.9% to $1,771.76 per ounce by 10:17 a.m. ET (1517 GMT). US gold futures dropped 0.7% to $1,775.10.
US producer prices increased more than expected in November as supply constraints persisted, supporting views that inflation could remain uncomfortably high for sometime.
“Producer prices were higher than expected indicating continued inflation, and gold is viewed as an inflation hedge. But in reality, we’re seeing the opposite where hot inflation could mean faster interest rate hikes,” said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.
“This is why inflation is called a double edged sword.”
Interest rate hikes tend to push government bond yields up, raising the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
“Market participants will closely track the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting to see how the central bank reacts on elevated inflation, which will result in likely larger price moves,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
The Fed will begin its two-day monetary policy meeting later in the day. It is expected to announce that it is wrapping up bond buying stimulus sooner than previously communicated, potentially setting up earlier interest rate hikes next year.
“Should the Fed step up the gear on tapering, this is likely to punish gold prices as the dollar appreciates, yields rise and rate hike expectations jump,” FXTM analyst Lukman Otunuga said in a note.
The European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan have also scheduled meetings this week.
Spot silver fell 1.9% to $21.88 an ounce. Platinum lost 0.9% to $921.17, while palladium dipped 2.5% to $1,638.87, after hitting its lowest since March 2020 at $1,579.01.
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