PRECIOUS-Gold eases as dollar firms; US inflation data awaited

BY Reuters | ECONOMIC | 09/25/25 08:57 PM EDT
          Sept 26 (Reuters) - Gold edged lower on Friday after
stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data cast doubt on the
Federal Reserve's rate cut outlook and lifted the dollar, while
investors awaited U.S. inflation data due later in the day for
further direction.

    FUNDAMENTALS
    * Spot gold declined 0.2% to $3,741.71 per ounce as
of 0033 GMT. Bullion rose 1.7% so far this week.
    * U.S. gold futures for December delivery were
unchanged at $3,772.20.
    * The U.S. dollar index hovered near three-week high,
making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for overseas
buyers.
    * The number of Americans filing new applications for
unemployment benefits fell last week, while the U.S. economy
grew faster than was estimated in the second quarter amid strong
consumer spending and business investment.
    * On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 100%
tariff on imported branded drugs, 25% on heavy-duty trucks, 50%
on kitchen cabinets and 30% on upholstered furniture starting
October 1.
    * Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index data,
the Fed's preferred inflation measure, due at 1230 GMT, is
expected to show a 0.3% month-on-month rise and a 2.7%
year-on-year jump in August, per a Reuters poll.
    * Fed policymaker Stephen Miran advocated for aggressive
rate cuts to shield the labour market, downplaying inflation
risks from tariffs.
    * Safe-haven bullion, which tends to perform well in a
low-interest-rate environment, hit a record high of $3,790.82 on
Tuesday.
    * SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed
exchange-traded fund, said its holdings fell 0.37% to 996.85
tonnes on Wednesday from 1,000.57 tonnes on Tuesday.
    * Spot silver fell 0.7% to $44.92 per ounce, platinum
 rose 0.6% to $1,538.15 and palladium gained 0.5%
at $1,255.72. All three metals were headed for weekly gains.

 DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
 1230  US Consumption, Adjusted MM Aug
 1230  US Core PCE Price Index MM, YY Aug
 1230  US PCE Price Index MM, YY Aug
 1400  US U Mich Sentiment Final Sep

 (Reporting by Anmol Choubey in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana
Nandy)

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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