Oct 29 (Reuters) - Gold prices slid on Thursday as sticky inflation fueled bets of a potential interest rate hike by the US Federal reserve later this year, while investors awaited a US inflation report for insight into the central bank's next policy moves.
Spot gold slid 0.8% to $4,035.28 per ounce by 1121 GMT. US gold futures for December delivery fell 0.1% to $4,047.10 per ounce. Bullion is on track for its second straight monthly decline.
The Fed expectedly kept rates unchanged on Wednesday, deferring changes to borrowing costs until after next week's midterm elections while it awaits more inflation data, keeping a December hike in play.
US Personal Consumption Expenditures data, the inflation gauge the central bank prefers, is due at 1230 GMT.
"Gold may be dragged back into sub-$4,000 levels if the PCE figures exceed market expectations, further paving the way for a December rate hike," said Han Tan, chief market analyst at Bybit.
Traders are still pricing in about an 90% chance of a rate hike in December, according to the CME's FedWatch Tool.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is expected to hold rates later on Thursday, though the decision could be overshadowed by turmoil in France's bond market.
Higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold.
"Markets are still wary about another potential spike in geopolitical tensions following the US midterm election," Tan said. "If oil benchmarks revisit $120 and beyond, amplifying inflationary pressures that invite further monetary policy tightening, gold would likely post a fresh year-to-date low."
Oil prices fell on Thursday as hopes for peace talks rekindled after US Vice President JD Vance wrote to Iranian Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei.
Spot silver fell 1.9% to $52.9341 per ounce, platinum dropped 2.9% to $1,493.71 and palladium slid 1% to $1,000.91
All three were headed for a second straight monthly decline.
Reporting by Joyjeet Das
