Gold prices slip as U.S. inflation test looms
Ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a workroom at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 31, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
Alexander Manzyuk | Reuters
Gold prices dipped on Monday as investors braced for much awaited U.S. January consumer price index data that could steer the Federal Reserve’s rate-hike strategy.
Spot gold last fell 0.57% to $1,854.04 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures settled 0.6% lower at $1,863.50.
Gold was “a little lower heading into tomorrow morning’s (CPI) number,” said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.
All eyes are on U.S. CPI data due at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, expected to have climbed 0.4% in January. Revisions to the previous data showed consumer prices rose in December instead of falling as previously estimated.
Inflation numbers could come in a little less than what’s expected, if not in line with them, while a miss in expectations could lead to a buying opportunity for gold, highlighted Haberkron.
Markets have raised the profile for future tightening by the Fed, with rates seen peaking at around 5.15% and with cuts coming later and slower.
Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said the Fed will need to continue to raise interest rates in order to get them to a level high enough to bring inflation back down.
Gold is highly sensitive to rising U.S. interest rates, as they increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. However, the dollar index was 0.3% lower, while benchmark 10-year Treasury yields were down after they hit their highest level since early January earlier in the session, reducing the pressure on gold prices.
Spot silver fell 0.12% to $21.967 per ounce, platinum gained 1.08% to $954.7081.
Palladium rose 1.72% to $1,569.024 after falling to a near three-year low earlier in the session.
“Given the downside risk to autocatalyst demand from potential recessions, the palladium price could continue lower,” said Heraeus analysts in a note.
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