Gold prices edged up on Tuesday as the dollar crept lower, with investors turning their attention to testimony from US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen later in the day for hints on the central bank's interest rate strategy. Spot gold was up 0.3 percent at $1,228.90 per ounce at 0542 GMT, while US gold futures rose 0.4 percent to $1,230.60.
Investors are focusing on testimony by Yellen before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday in the wake of hints from other policymakers that could suggest they are leaning towards more hikes in interest rates this year than the two currently priced in by markets. "The commentary will be keenly followed. Any guide to whether (a rate hike in) March is on the table will be key to moving gold," said ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes.
"I would not expect to see much volatility, don't think anyone is really confident enough to put on any sort of directional trades at the moment until they hear from Yellen." Gold is highly-sensitive to climbing US interest rates, which increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion while boosting the dollar, in which it is priced. Spot gold may test resistance at $1,230 per ounce, a break above which could lead to a gain to $1,235, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.
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