PRECIOUS-Gold steadies as traders await central bank decisions amid inflation worries

BY Reuters | ECONOMIC | 04/27/26 05:27 AM EDT

* Trump says Iran can phone if it wants to talk

* Fed expected to hold interest rates steady at April FOMC meeting

* Investors look out for BOJ, ECB central bank meetings (Updates for EMEA morning session)

By Pablo Sinha

April 27 (Reuters) - Gold prices were largely steady on Monday, as traders stayed cautious ahead of upcoming central bank meetings, wary that persistent strength in oil prices could prompt a more hawkish policy stance.

Spot gold fell 0.1% to $4,704.01 per ounce, as of 0910 GMT. U.S. gold futures for June delivery fell 0.4% to $4,719.90.

"The main message that traders are preparing for is that central banks will be more hawkish than they were previously because of the fact that oil prices have risen and pushed inflationary pressures up," said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at City Index and FOREX.com.

"Because of that, the (gold) market will be cautious heading into the central bank meetings."

Brent oil climbed above $105 per barrel, as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited, keeping global oil supplies tight.

Higher oil prices since the onset of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran have stoked inflation fears and concerns around elevated interest rates. While gold is considered an inflation hedge, high interest rates make yield-bearing assets more attractive, weighing on its appeal.

The Fed is widely expected to hold interest rates steady in its policy statement on Wednesday at the end of its two-day meeting on April 28 to 29.

Investors will also be watching other central bank meetings this week, including the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, to gauge the impact of the war on the economy and the path for interest rates.

Meanwhile, the dollar eased, making greenback-priced bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war, as Tehran's foreign minister landed in Russia on Monday to seek support from President Vladimir Putin.

Hopes of reviving peace efforts receded on Saturday after Trump cancelled a trip by two U.S. envoys to Iran war mediator Pakistan.

Spot silver fell 0.3% to $75.49 per ounce, platinum gained 0.6% to $2,023.80, and palladium was down 0.4% at $1,490.25. (Reporting by Pablo Sinha in Bengaluru; Editing by Louise Heavens)

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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