Gold little changed as markets eye Warsh's Fed debut, US-Iran deal details

Kitco Media
By Reuters
Published:
Updated:
Reuters
Gold little changed as markets eye Warsh's Fed debut, US-Iran deal details teaser image

June 17 (Reuters) - Gold prices were little changed on Wednesday, ​with market participants focused on the Federal Reserve's first policy decision ‌under new chair Kevin Warsh and details of the U.S.-Iran peace agreement.

Spot gold was steady at $4,332.07 per ounce by 1053 GMT, after gaining in the previous four sessions.

U.S. gold futures were ​down 0.1% at $4,351.60.

"The gold market will take cues from signals from ​the FOMC today. With Kevin Warsh taking his seat at the ⁠helm for the first time, investors will be watching closely how he ​interprets recent market developments," Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen said.

The Fed's policy decision is due ​at 1800 GMT, with policymakers widely expected to hold rates steady. Attention will then turn to Warsh's comments.

On the geopolitical front, details of the U.S. and Iran's interim agreement to end the war ​in the Middle East began to emerge on Tuesday, with U.S. President ​Donald Trump saying it would rule out a nuclear weapon for Tehran and a U.S. ‌official ⁠saying it would allow Iran to sell oil upon signing.

Spot gold climbed to a one-week high on Monday after the deal was announced, rebounding from the near six-month low it hit last week. Higher energy prices, which fuel ​inflation concerns and expectations ​of rate ⁠hikes, had weighed on non-yielding gold, which becomes less attractive in a high-interest-rate environment.

"Following the breach of the key technical support at the ​200-day moving average, gold price action remains fragile in ​the near ⁠term," analysts at Standard Chartered said in a note.

"However, the easing of imminent liquidity needs following the announcement of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding bodes well for gold ⁠finding ​a price floor sooner rather than later," they ​added.

Spot silver fell 0.3% to $69.98 per ounce, platinum lost 0.8% to $1,788.40 and palladium was down 0.4% ​at $1,346.45.

Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak and Diti Pujara

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.