Gold prices edge higher as weaker dollar lends support

WASHINGTON: Gold prices inched higher on Monday, supported by a softer dollar, while investors awaited a slew of US economic data, including the December nonfarm payrolls report, for further guidance on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate stance.

Spot gold rose 0.2 per cent to $2,643.69 per ounce by 0229 GMT. US gold futures climbed 0.1 per cent to $2,656.80.

“A subdued start to the week by the US dollar is helping gold to eke out some gains,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

How the US jobs data fares this week could hold the key to whether gold breaks out of its recent range, he said, adding that “there is a plethora of US data due for release this week (including ISM Services PMI data), and any downside misses could hurt the USD and help gold.”

The US jobs report, due on Friday, is expected to provide more clues to the Fed’s rate outlook after the US central bank rattled markets last month by reducing its projected cuts for 2025.

Investors are also awaiting ADP hiring and job openings data, as well as minutes of the Fed’s last policy meeting, for further direction.

Gold flourishes in a low-interest-rate environment and serves as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and inflation.

US President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to office on Jan. 20, and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to fuel inflation.

This could prompt the Fed to go slow on rate cuts, limiting gold’s upside. After three rate cuts in 2024, the Fed has projected only two reductions for 2025 due to persistent inflation.

The US central bank’s benchmark policy rate should stay restrictive until it is more certain that inflation is returning to its 2 per cent target, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said on Friday.

Spot silver gained 0.2 per cent to $29.67 per ounce, platinum shed 0.5 per cent at $933.60, and palladium fell 0.9 per cent to $920.09.

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