Gold prices rose on Wednesday, breaking a five-day decline as the dollar slipped against a basket of currencies, with the market waiting for clues on the timing of an increase in US interest rates. Spot gold was up 0.4 percent at $1,323.50 an ounce by 3:00 pm EDT (1900 GMT). It touched $1,315.27 on Tuesday, the lowest in more than a week. US gold futures settled up 0.18 percent at $1,326.10.
Expectations that the US Federal Reserve will raise rates next week have receded, putting pressure on the dollar, which when it falls makes gold cheaper for holders of other currencies. "The big picture is the Fed rate hike, which is going to be the biggest factor for gold, so in the short term markets will be looking at US data," Natixis analyst Bernard Dahdah said.
"It's all about the opportunity cost of holding gold. Higher interest rates make it more expensive to hold gold, which has zero yield." Markets are pricing in just a 15 percent chance that the Fed will hike US interest rates during its September 20-21 meeting, according to CME FedWatch. Many now expect a rise in December after the US presidential election. Goldman Sachs puts the chances of a rate hike in December at 40 percent.
"We believe any decision to raise rates in 2016 will ultimately be viewed as a misstep that increases financial and economic risks, and this will be to gold's benefit," said Joe Foster, portfolio manager and strategist of VanEck International Investors Gold Fund in New York. Spot silver was up 0.9 percent at $19.02 an ounce. Platinum gained 0.2 percent at $1,034.20, while palladium rose 0.8 percent to $656.90.
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