Gold prices were steady on Wednesday as investors exercised caution ahead of a key US inflation print that could shed some light on the Federal Reserve’s rate cut trajectory.
Spot gold was little changed at $2,028.69 per ounce, as of 0405 GMT, trading in a range of about $6. US gold futures rose 0.1% to $2,034.20 per ounce.
“A combination of stability in the US dollar and bond yields, in contrast to what we witnessed at the tail-end of 2023, has effectively applied the brakes to the gold price,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
The dollar index ticked up against a basket of currencies, and is up 1.6% so far this month, while yields on 10-year US Treasury notes remained above 4%.
Traders will turn their focus to Thursday’s US consumer price inflation report that is expected to show headline inflation rose 0.2% in December and 3.2% on an annual basis.
“Any signs of softness in the data could be a boon for the gold price,” said Waterer.
An official US report revealed that consumers expect a decline in inflation, while Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said the US central bank’s monetary policy seems “sufficiently restrictive”.
Market participants are pricing in an about 68% chance of a US rate cut in March, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
Spot gold may retest support of $2,016 per ounce, a break below which could open the way towards $2,006, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.
Spot silver fell 0.2% to $22.93 per ounce, while platinum rose 0.2% to $931.74, and palladium gained 0.7% to $985.48.
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