Gold falls as fading Middle East peace hopes lift dollar, oil

Kitco Media
By Reuters
Published:
Updated:
Reuters
Gold falls as fading Middle East peace hopes lift dollar, oil teaser image

May 12 (Reuters) - Gold fell from a three-week high on Tuesday, as slim hopes ‌of a U.S.-Iran peace deal drove the dollar and oil prices higher, clouding the U.S. interest rate outlook ahead of key inflation data.

Spot gold fell 0.8% to $4,696.07 per ounce by 1117 GMT, after climbing to its ​highest since April 21 earlier. U.S. gold futures for June delivery lost ​0.5% to $4,703.20.

U.S. President Donald Trump said a ceasefire with Iran was "on life ⁠support" as Tehran rejected a U.S. proposal to end the conflict and stuck ​to a list of demands the U.S. president described as "garbage".

"The overall driver (for gold's decline) ​is rising energy prices once again lifting U.S. bond yields ahead of today's CPI (consumer price index) print, as well as a stronger dollar," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo ​Bank.

Oil climbed as the key Strait of Hormuz stayed largely closed.

The April inflation data, ​expected later in the day, could provide clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction.

Elevated crude ‌oil ⁠prices can stoke inflation, increasing the likelihood of higher interest rates. While gold is seen as a hedge against inflation, high rates tend to weigh on the non-yielding asset.

Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit a one-week high, while the dollar gained ​0.4%, making dollar-denominated commodities ​more expensive for ⁠holders of other currencies.

Traders have largely priced out a Fed rate cut this year, with markets now seeing a 36% chance of ​a hike by March 2027, according to CME Group's FedWatch ​tool. FEDWATCH

Markets are ⁠also watching Trump's two-day visit to China from Wednesday, during which he is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the Middle East expected to be a key part of the agenda.

"Overall, gold remains ⁠rangebound, ​with support established ahead of $4,500, while resistance is at ​the 50-day moving average, near $4,757," said Hansen.

Spot silver fell 3% to $83.50 per ounce, platinum slid 2.7% to $2,077.44, and palladium was ​down 1.9% at $1,479.91.

Reporting by Noel John in Bengaluru; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair and Kevin Liffey

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