📈 Fed's first cut since 2020: Time to buy the dip? See Tech-focused stock picksUnlock AI Picks

PRECIOUS-Gold pares gains as Yellen signals a 2015 rate hike

Published 11/07/2015, 04:53 am
© Reuters.  PRECIOUS-Gold pares gains as Yellen signals a 2015 rate hike
DXY
-

* Dollar pares losses against major currencies

* Weak physical demand caps gold's gains

* Indian prices still at discount (Adds comment, updates prices)

By Marcy Nicholson and Clara Denina

NEW YORK/LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) - Gold gave up earlier gains on Friday after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said she expected the central bank to raise interest rates sometime this year but pointed to concerns that U.S. labor markets remain weak.

In a speech that cautioned about the status of workers as well as some international risks, Yellen gave no direct hint about whether she anticipated more than one rate hike over the Fed's four remaining meetings in 2015. ID:nL1N0ZQ1D4

"(It) looks like a probable interest rate hike scheduled for this year, with or without Greece," said George Gero, precious metals strategist for RBC Capital Markets in New York.

Spot gold XAU= was up 0.1 percent at $1,160.33 an ounce at 2:33 p.m. EDT (1833 GMT). Prices remained near a four-month low of $1,146.75 reached on Wednesday.

U.S. gold for August delivery GCcv1 settled down 0.1 percent at $1,157.90 an ounce.

"Yellen's more hawkish-than-expected tone is sparking a modest gold selloff," said Tai Wong, director of base and precious metals trading for BMO Capital Markets in New York.

The U.S. dollar .DXY pared its losses against a basket of major currencies, and the euro EUR= gave back some of its gains against the greenback. USD/

"Gold is getting some support from the stronger euro, but if we get a deal with Greece on Sunday, it should be bearish for gold because it removes any risk," Societe Generale analyst Robin Bhar said.

Physical demand remained tepid this week as prospective investors in China chased bargains in equities after a market selloff, while those in India delayed purchases. GOL/AS

The metal in India still sold at a discount to the global benchmark.

Chinese stocks rose sharply for the second straight day after Beijing banned shareholders with large stakes in listed companies from selling, moving to stem a rout that pulled down key indexes by about 30 percent from mid-June.

Also benefiting gold earlier, the International Monetary Fund trimmed its forecast for global economic growth this year to 3.3 percent from 3.5 percent, citing recent weakness in the United States. ID:nL1N0ZP0WP

Silver XAG= was up 1 percent at $15.53 an ounce, palladium XPD= rose 1.7 percent to $648.50 an ounce and platinum XPT= gained 0.5 percent to $1,025.25 an ounce, slightly rebounding from a 6-1/2 year low near $1,000 hit on Wednesday.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.