BUZZ-Gold miners drop as rate worries drag down bullion

U.S.-listed shares of gold miners were down in premarket trading, tracking lower bullion prices.

• Spot gold XAU= was down 1.1% at $4,084.60/ounce, having hit its highest level since July 7 at $4,165.87 on Wednesday.
• Prices fell as the escalating Middle East conflict lifted oil prices and fueled concerns that inflation could prompt the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates later this year.
• Top miner Newmont NEM.N and Barrick Mining B.N were down 1% and 0.9%, respectively.
• South African miners Gold Fields GFI.N, AngloGold Ashanti AU.N and Harmony Gold HMY.N declined between 1.4% and 2.2%.
• Canadian miners Agnico Eagle Mines AEM.N and Kinross Gold KGC.N fell 1.3% and 1.4%, respectively.