Gold Prices are Trending Downwards as Fed's backs gradual rate hikes

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen announces that she welcomes the hiking of U.S. interest rates gradually which has pressured gold prices. Spot gold was down by 0.1% to $1,202 per ounce by 0335 GMT, after dropping to as much as $1,197.31. Last Tuesday it has hit eight-week high of $1,218.64. U.S. gold futures had fallen as much as over 1% to $1,197.10.

The U.S. dollar index which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, were up by 0.3% to 101.200.

Since the U.S. economy is close to full employment and inflation headed toward the Federal Reserve's 2% goal, it "makes sense" for the U.S. central bank to gradually lift interest rates, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said on Wednesday.

Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan on Wednesday joined the chorus of central bank officials making a case for a gradual hike in U.S. interest rates.

U.S. consumer prices increased in December as households paid more for gasoline and rental accommodation, leading to the largest year-on-year increase in 2-1/2 years and signaling that inflation pressures could be building.

Silver fell by 0.3% to $16.97 an ounce while Platinum fell 0.5% to $956.50, and palladium was down 0.1% to $747.70.

Gold Slump Again, On Worst Losing Streak in 2016

Gold prices slumped on Friday and it is on its way to a 5th straight weekly decline. As it get hit from all directions. The gold prices are being pulled down by a stronger U.S. dollar and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike next week. U.S. equities are also at record levels luring money out of the safe haven and fund holdings wither. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are at all-time highs amid speculation President-elect Donald Trump’s policies will spur growth. Investors are also assessing the European Central Bank’s decision on Thursday to tweak its bond buying.

Spot gold was down 0.3% at $1,167.11 an ounce by 0245 GMT, and was set for a weekly decline of about 0.8%. U.S. gold futures lost 0.2% to $1,169.60 per ounce. The dollar held large gains against the yen and euro early on Friday.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell from a five-month high last week, pointing to labour strength that underscores the economy's sustained momentum and reinforcing the case for a Federal Reserve rate increase.

Rising bond yields and a flight to stock markets have also dampened the appeal of gold.

Meanwhile, Asian shares edged down on Friday but were on track for robust weekly gains, while the euro became more settled after the volatility seen in the wake of the European Central Bank's decision to trim the size of its asset purchase program while also extending it for longer than many analysts had expected.

Holdings of the SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.34% to 860.71 tonnes on Thursday. SPDR holdings have fallen nearly 9% since November and are on track for a 5th straight week of losses.

Elsewhere, silver was down 0.4% at $16.94 an ounce and platinum fell 0.9% at $930.10.

Palladium was down by 0.2% to $734, after reaching its lowest since November 18 in the previous session.

Gold at 2 and half week high, Euro Gains Against Dollar

Gold prices surge ended lower on Wednesday after surging in a 5 day rally and ended close to 2 and a half week high Tuesday as a result of expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates until September. Also the U.S. dollar index has been weak recently that prop up the prices of precious metals.

Both Gold and silver have gained some momentum, the April Comex gold was last up $5.10 at $1,192.80 an ounce, it peaked at $1,195.30. May Comex silver was last up $0.049 at $16.94 an ounce. The Gold's 5-day rally that started when the U.S. Federal Reserve last week warn about the U.S. economy and the pace of any rate-hike.

Analyst expects the price of Gold could go up to $1,200 in the immediate future and $1,240 in the next quarter.

The demand for gold which do not pay interest had been hurt by expectations of a near-term rate hike, however it all change when the U.S. Federal Reserve surprised investors by indicating that they won't rush raising the interest rates. They may hold it to current level up to at least September.

A weaker dollar also makes bullion cheaper for holders of other currencies, and increases its appeal as a hedge.

The Euro has edged out the US dollar early Wednesday. It went up sharply against the dollar about 0.5% in early European trade to $1.0966, well above its recent 12-year low of under $1.05.

The euro also gained against the yen and the British pound. Brent crude oil rose 0.1% to $55.14 a barrel.

As Fed Deflates Gold Plunges Below $1,200

Prices of Gold an ounce dropped below $1,200 which is a 5 month low at the time that the Federal Reserve pare down the economic stimulus that reduced that reduce the demand for haven assets.  

The stimulus propped up the prices of gold to 70% from December 2008 to June 2011 as the Fed expanded its balance sheet through debt purchases that fueled expectations of accelerated inflation and a weaker dollar.

Bullion for immediate delivery is down by 1% to $1,205.98 an ounce by 10:31 a.m. in London after dropping as much as 1.5% to $1,199.63 an ounce, the lowest since June 28. Prices tumbled into a bear market in April and are heading for the first annual drop in 13 years, as investors lost faith in gold. Prices plunged as much as 38% since reaching a record $1,921.15 an ounce in September 2011.

Gold exchange-traded products lost $72.44 billion in value since the start of the year and mining companies wrote down at least $26 billion after investor appetite waned.