Gold prices stabilized in Asian trading on Thursday, pausing after a sharp retreat from all-time highs earlier in the week. A stronger dollar and cautious comments from Federal Reserve officials weighed on investor appetite, even as markets looked ahead to critical U.S. data releases.
By 03:01 ET (07:01 GMT), spot gold rose 0.2% to $3,713.42 per ounce, while U.S. December futures edged 0.1% higher to $3,773.02. The metal had retreated from Tuesday’s record of $3,790.82 per ounce, settling 0.7% lower on Wednesday after a rebound in the dollar pressured demand from foreign buyers.
Fed Signals Caution on Rate Cuts
Investors remain focused on the Federal Reserve’s stance. On Tuesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell stressed there is “no risk-free path” for monetary policy, warning against moving too quickly or too slowly on rate adjustments. Regional Fed leaders, including San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, echoed his message, highlighting that decisions will hinge on upcoming economic data.
Upcoming reports expected this week include:
- Weekly jobless claims (Thursday), forecast near 230,000
- Second estimate of Q2 GDP (Thursday)
- Core PCE Price Index (Friday), projected to rise 2.7% year-on-year
Lower interest rates typically boost gold’s appeal by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets. Traders are watching closely to determine whether the Fed will move forward with additional rate cuts later this year.
Metals Market Remains Subdued
Gold’s rally in recent months has been supported by persistent geopolitical uncertainty, expectations of monetary easing, and sustained central bank purchases. Despite this momentum, Thursday’s session showed broader caution across metals markets.
- Silver futures gained 0.2% to $44.29 per ounce
- Platinum futures held steady at $1,484.35 per ounce
- LME copper futures slipped 0.5% to $10,313.65 per ton
- U.S. copper futures advanced 0.4% to $4.85 per pound
For now, gold remains sensitive to currency moves and macroeconomic signals. Traders see the next 48 hours as pivotal, with U.S. data releases likely to determine whether bullion resumes its record-breaking momentum or faces further consolidation.
