LONDON: Gold prices eased ahead of key central bank meetings on Thursday as the US dollar and Treasury yields strengthened a day after dismal private payrolls data sent bullion prices to one-week highs.

Spot gold slipped 0.2% to $1,803.16 an ounce, as of 1023 GMT, after hitting its highest since Jan. 27 at $1,810.86 in the previous session. US gold futures fell 0.4% to $1,803.70.

Benchmark US 10-year Treasury yields were slightly up, while the dollar index firmed against its rivals, making bullion expensive for buyers holding other currencies.

Investors now await Friday’s closely watched non-farm payroll figures after ADP data on Wednesday showed US private payrolls unexpectedly fell last month.

“Tomorrow’s payroll data would be important to get the confirmation on weakening labour market, which is a key factor for the Fed to go slow on its rate hike plans,” said Soni Kumari, a commodities strategist at ANZ.

“We see inflation numbers and geopolitical tension to guide gold prices in the near-term.”

The US Federal Reserve officials have signalled they will start raising interest rates next month to fight high inflation.

Markets also expect the Bank of England to raise interest rates again later in the day while the European Central Bank is set to keep policy unchanged but acknowledge surging inflation.

Gold is considered a hedge against inflation, but interest rate rises would make non-yielding bullion less attractive.

“The magnetic attraction to the $1,800 level has persisted for almost a year now, and gold’s struggling to breakout of its range,” independent analyst Ross Norman said.

Gold seems to be well supported by good physical buying but is unable to sustain any upside momentum, Norman added.

In other metals, silver declined 0.9% to $22.42 an ounce, platinum eased 0.6% to $1,026.51 and palladium was up 0.1% at $2,372.15.