Gold price eases as dollar firms on bets for 'transitory' inflation

New York (Jun 11) - Gold prices edged lower on Friday as the dollar held steady with some investors betting on rising U.S. consumer prices being temporary.

Spot gold was down 0.2% to $1,894.06 per ounce by 0913 GMT. U.S. gold futures rose 0.1% to $1,898.40.

As long as it has difficulties to stay above that level “there will be some investors using that to sell gold or build up short positions,” Staunovo added.

Data showed U.S. consumer prices rose solidly in May, leading to the biggest annual increase in nearly 13 years, while jobless claims dropped to their lowest in nearly 15 months last week.

The dollar index rose 0.1%, reducing gold’s appeal for investors holding other currencies.

But capping bullion’s losses by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing metal, benchmark U.S. Treasury yields touched a three-month low.

Focus now shifts to Fed’s June 15-16 policy meeting. A significant number of Fed watchers according to a Reuters poll have said the central bank would wait until later in the year before announcing a taper.

“The FOMC next week is now likely to be a non-event, and barring a sharp rise in the dollar. Gold looks set to test resistance at $1,920 early next week, as the asset price appreciation trade gains new momentum,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA.

Silver rose 0.7% to $28.17 per ounce, while platinum gained 0.1% to $1,152.55.

Palladium fell 0.2% to $2,770.47, and was on track for a weekly decline.

Reuters