Gold loses ground as investors focus on US data

Bengaluru — Gold prices fell on Tuesday, while investors awaited a slew of US economic data to gauge the size of the Federal Reserve’s expected interest rate cut in September.

Spot gold eased 0.2% at $2,494.56/oz by 4.15am GMT. Prices hit a record high of $2,531.60 on August 20. US gold futures steadied at $2,526.40.

The dollar lingered near a two-week high, making bullion less appealing for other currency holders.

“Gold is unable to recapture levels around all-time highs due to lack of fresh positive catalysts. If we see US data pointing to a weak economy and the Fed taking to the narrative of having a jumbo rate cut, gold will rally,” said Kelvin Wong, Oanda senior market analyst for Asia Pacific.

“Prices could go as high as $2,640 this year.”

Market focus is on Friday’s US August nonfarm payrolls report. Economists surveyed by Reuters expect the addition of 165,000 US jobs.

ISM surveys, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (Jolts) and ADP employment report are also on investors’ radar.

Traders see a 31% chance of a 50 basis point (bp) rate cut at the Fed’s September 17-18 policy meet and a 69% chance of a quarter-point cut.

Last week, data showed US consumer spending picked up in July, arguing against a 50bp rate cut.

Gold “remains our preferred hedge against geopolitical and financial risks, with additional support from imminent Fed rate cuts and ongoing emerging market central bank buying. We open a long gold trade recommendation,” Goldman Sachs said.

Bullion is considered a safe asset amid turmoil and tends to thrive in a low rate environment.

Spot gold may test support at $2,473, a break below that could open the way towards $2,434, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

Spot silver dipped 0.3% to $28.43, platinum fell 1% to $921.20 and palladium lost 1% to $968.92.

Reuters