PRECIOUS-Gold snaps losing streak ahead of US inflation print

BY Reuters | ECONOMIC | 10/10/24 05:10 AM EDT

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U.S. CPI data due at 1230 GMT

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Gold to reach $2,850/oz by mid-2025 - UBS

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Platinum climbs more than 1%

(Add details, comments and updates prices)

By Daksh Grover

Oct 10 (Reuters) - Gold prices recovered slightly on Thursday to snap a six-session losing streak, while traders remain focused on a key U.S. inflation reading for insights on a potential rate reduction by the Federal Reserve this year.

Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,615.19 per ounce, as of 0833 GMT. U.S. gold futures edged 0.2% higher to $2,632.30.

"Expectations of further rate cuts are giving a modest lift to gold, despite much firmer Treasury yields and U.S. dollar," independent analyst Ross Norman said.

The U.S. dollar strengthened to a 10-week peak against the yen and Treasury yields climbed as investors continued to price in a less-aggressive monetary easing cycle from the Fed.

Investors await the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September, due at 1230 GMT, which is expected to show core inflation holding steady at a 3.2% year-on-year basis, according to economists polled by Reuters.

Their focus will shift to U.S. Producer Price Index data on Friday.

"By the end of today when the (CPI) data comes out, we expect gold prices to potentially challenge the $2,640 level," said Brian Lan, managing director at Singapore-based dealer GoldSilver Central.

San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly expressed on Wednesday strong support for last month's half-percentage-point rate cut, indicating that one or two more cuts may be likely this year if the economy evolves as expected.

"We also continue to see strong central bank purchases for gold, and believe that uncertainty around the fast-approaching U.S. election should support the bullion," USB said in a note, adding that they forecast gold to reach $2,850 per ounce by mid-2025.

Spot silver was steady at $30.51 per ounce, platinum added 1.2% to $956.50 and palladium added 0.4% to $1,043.74.

(Reporting by Daksh Grover in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.

Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

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