By Harshit Verma
(Reuters) – Gold prices were steady on Wednesday as investors awaited a report on the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge due later this week for the latest clues on the central bank’s rate cut prospects after some hawkish commentary this week.
Spot gold eased 0.1% to $2,317.86 per ounce by 0944 GMT, after hitting its lowest since June 18 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures also fell 0.1% to $2,329.60.
“Gold flashed red on Wednesday thanks to hawkish comments from a Fed official in the previous session and a stronger dollar,” said FXTM senior research analyst Lukman Otunuga.
Fed Governor Michelle Bowman on Tuesday reiterated her view that holding the policy rate steady “for some time” will probably be enough to bring inflation under control, but also repeated her willingness to raise borrowing costs if needed.
Higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
Meanwhile, Fed Governor Lisa Cook said “at some point” it will be time to cut interest rates.
The dollar rose 0.2% against its rivals, making gold more expensive for other currency holders, while benchmark 10-year yields also edged higher. [USD][/US/]
“This could be a wild week for gold due to economic and political forces. The Biden Vs. Trump face off and PCE report could inject the precious metal with renewed volatility. In the near term, support can be found at $2300 and resistance at $2340,” said Otunuga.
Investors will be watching out for the U.S. first-quarter gross domestic product estimates and a crucial debate of the U.S. President Joe Biden with rival Donald Trump on Thursday, and the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index report on Friday.
Data out on Tuesday showed U.S. consumer confidence eased in June amid worries about the economic outlook, but households remained upbeat about the labor market and expected inflation to moderate over the next year.
Gold is also seen as a hedge against economic uncertainty.
Spot silver rose 0.5% to $29.05, platinum climbed 1.6% to $997.15, while palladium gained 0.8% to $955.23.
(Reporting by Harshit Verma in Bengaluru; editing by Barbara Lewis)
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