US MIDDAY: gold plunges

Gold fell 1 percent early on Thursday as the dollar jumped versus the euro after the European Central Bank (ECB) cut inflation forecasts, while a US jobs report that could provide clues on the timing of a Federal Reserve rate rise remained in focus. The ECB left interest rates unchanged at record lows as expected, but lowered its forecasts for inflation and economic growth, citing a slowdown in emerging markets and weaker oil prices.
As a traditional hedge against inflation, gold suffered from the downward revision. Spot gold fell as much as 1.1 percent to a session low of $1,121.35 an ounce and was down 0.8 percent at $1,125.20 at 2:47 pm EDT (1847 GMT). US gold for December delivery settled down 0.8 percent at $1,124.50 an ounce. "No help for gold today: jobless claims, ECB holding rates unchanged, gains in stocks and wages showing no inflation," said RBC Wealth Management adviser George Gero.
US weekly jobs data indicated a strengthening labour market, a day ahead of the more critical monthly jobs report, due at 8:30 am EDT (1230 GMT) on Friday, which should give a clearer picture about the strength of the world's biggest economy. "Only amazingly good US data would bring the prospect of the rate hike back to September from December," Citi strategist David Wilson said. "That could put immediate further pressure on the gold price."
Bullion traders remain wary of taking up new positions until they receive more clarity on whether the Fed will raise rates at its next meeting on September 16-17, analysts said. Higher interest rates would increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. "The euro's down with the ECB comments, and the market's book-squared and looking toward tomorrow," said James Steel, chief metals analyst for HSBC Securities in New York.
The technical picture for gold looked bearish with near-term support at $1,117, ScotiaMocatta analysts said. "We are bearish gold so long as it trades below the recent high of $1,170." Also weighing on bullion was the absence of Chinese buyers with markets in China, a major gold consumer, closed through Friday for public holidays. Other precious metals were also under pressure, with silver down 0.3 percent to $14.66 an ounce, platinum down 1 percent to $1,002 and palladium down 1.7 percent at $572.50.