Gold drifts lower from seven-week peak, US inflation data looms
GLD•Gold eases as investors take profits
Gold slipped on Monday as investors took profits after prices hit a seven-week high in the previous session, while markets looked to U.S. inflation data for fresh clues on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path.
Spot gold XAU= was down 0.5% at $4,322.28 per ounce, as of 0200 GMT. Prices hit their highest since June 17 on Friday after weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs data. U.S. gold futures GCcv1 fell 0.4% to $4,381.60 on Monday.
"Gold is edging slightly lower as it succumbs to some profit-taking following last week's strong NFP-inspired gains. This looks like a natural stabilisation rather than a meaningful shift in sentiment - I expect gold to remain supported above the $4,300 level in the near term," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
Jobs data and Fed expectations support bullion
Data showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly shed jobs in July and previously reported job gains for the prior two months were revised sharply lower.
Futures markets then flipped the odds of a rate hike at the September 15-16 Federal Open Market Committee meeting from likelier-than-not to a worse-than-even chance.
A lower interest rate environment boosts the attractiveness of gold against income-generating assets, as bullion itself earns no interest.
Key U.S. data scheduled for release this week include the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday and the Producer Price Index (PPI) on Thursday.
"Soft readings would strengthen the case for a rate hold and clear a path for further upside in gold... Middle East uncertainty remains a lingering risk factor, as any renewed escalation that drives oil prices up could quickly pressure the metal," said Waterer.
