Gold falls ahead of US inflation data, Fed outcome

Dec 12 (Reuters) – Gold prices slipped on Monday as investors stayed on the sidelines awaiting US inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s rate-hike decision later this week.

Spot gold was down 0.9% at USD 1,780.19 per ounce by 15:29 p.m. ET (2029 GMT). US gold futures settled 1% lower at USD 1,792.30.

“The markets are pulling back ahead of the Fed and the next couple of days is going to be pretty volatile,” said Daniel Pavilonis, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.

The US central bank is widely expected to raise interest rates by 50 basis points at its final meeting of 2022 scheduled on Dec. 13-14.

The European Central Bank and the Bank of England are also set to announce interest rate decisions this week.

Lower rates tend to boost gold’s appeal as it decreases the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

Data on Friday showed US producer prices rose slightly more than expected in November, reinforcing the view that the Fed may have to keep interest rates higher for longer.

Focus now shifts to the US consumer price index (CPI) report for November that is due on Tuesday.

“Ahead of the key data print, the current strength of the market would be tested on a break below USD 1,765, a level where support was found on several occasions last week,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Sunday forecast a substantial reduction in US inflation in 2023.

Meanwhile, spot silver dipped 0.7% to USD 23.30 per ounce.

“The overall scenario remains supportive (for silver), while investors are betting on solid demand in the next few years,” Carlo Alberto De Casa, external analyst at Kinesis Money, said.

Platinum dropped 2.2% to USD 999.73 per ounce, and palladium slid 3.5% to USD 1,881.47.

(Reporting by Brijesh Patel in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Shounak Dasgupta)