Gold prices hover near 9-month low as dollar elevates

Gold prices fell on Monday, lingering near a recent nine-month low, after strong U.S. job market data last week boosted the dollar and the likelihood of another big rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

Central banks in Canada and New Zealand are expected to tighten further this week. Pic:Reuters

Gold prices fell on Monday, lingering near a recent nine-month low, after strong U.S. job market data last week boosted the dollar and the likelihood of another big rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

Spot gold was down 0.3% at $1,737.39 per ounce, as of 0930 GMT. U.S. gold futures also dipped 0.3% to $1,736.30.

The dollar rose about 0.5% and hovered near a 20-year peak seen on Friday, dimming greenback-priced gold`s appeal among overseas buyers.

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The jobs report published on Friday tempered some of the recessionary fears that were starting to cast doubts over how far the Fed could go in terms of tightening, said Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at ActivTrades.

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Rate hikes increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. A strong labour market is often considered a healthy economic indicator and gives the central bank more ammunition for another big hike, in turn pushing gold lower, analysts said.

Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said on Friday he "fully" supports another three quarters of a percentage point rate hike at the Fed`s next policy meeting later this month.

However, growing pessimism over the state of some economies in Asia and geopolitical instability to some extent, mitigate gold`s losses, as bullion remains the go-to safe haven during times of trouble, Evangelista added.

Central banks in Canada and New Zealand are expected to tighten further this week.

"While gold prices remain below $1,753/oz it seems a move down to $1,720 is on the cards. Although there is some support around $1,730 given the bearish trend overall, any upside is likely to be a retracement, at best," said Matt Simpson, senior market analyst at City Index.

Spot silver fell 0.3% to $19.25 per ounce, platinum dropped 1.6% to $882.78, and palladium slipped 2.2% to $2,133.45.

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