Gold Hits over 2-week Low as Higher US Dollar, Yields Dent Appeal

Marked ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a cart at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
Marked ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a cart at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Gold Hits over 2-week Low as Higher US Dollar, Yields Dent Appeal

Marked ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a cart at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
Marked ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a cart at the Krastsvetmet non-ferrous metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia March 10, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Gold prices slipped 1% to their lowest level in more than two weeks, weighed down by a stronger dollar and higher bond yields, while traders looked forward to US inflation data due later this week.

Spot gold fell 0.9% to $2,299.40 per ounce by 10:03 a.m. ET (1403 GMT), hitting its lowest since June 10. US gold futures also fell 0.8% to $2,311.30, Reuters reported.

"At this point, market may very well be responding to the firmer US dollar and we continue to price in the possibility that the US Federal Reserve is unlikely to move (interest rates) earlier in the summer," said Bart Melek, head of commodity strategies at TD Securities.

The dollar rose 0.4% to a near two-month peak against its rivals, making gold more expensive for other currency holders, while benchmark US 10-year yields hit a near two-week high.

Focus this week will be on the US personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, Fed's preferred inflation gauge, that could shed more light on the US interest rate path.

Also on the radar, US first-quarter gross domestic product estimates and a crucial debate between US President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump on Thursday.

Data out on Tuesday showed US consumer confidence eased in June amid worries about the economic outlook, but households remained upbeat about the labor market and expected inflation to moderate over the next year.

Fed Governor Michelle Bowman on Tuesday reiterated her view that holding the policy rate steady "for some time" will probably be enough to bring inflation under control, but also repeated her willingness to raise borrowing costs if needed.

Higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

Spot silver fell 0.5% to $28.79, palladium lost 2.8% to $921.75, while platinum climbed 1.7% to $998.75.



Saudi Industry Minister Explores Latest Mining Technologies at MINExpo International 2024 Las Vegas

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef visits the MINExpo International 2024 Las Vegas. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef visits the MINExpo International 2024 Las Vegas. (SPA)
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Saudi Industry Minister Explores Latest Mining Technologies at MINExpo International 2024 Las Vegas

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef visits the MINExpo International 2024 Las Vegas. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef visits the MINExpo International 2024 Las Vegas. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef visited the MINExpo International 2024 Las Vegas, the largest mining exhibition in the world.

He reviewed the latest technologies in mining operations and discussed the most promising opportunities in the mining sector with participating global mining companies, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Friday.

He was accompanied by Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer.

Alkhorayef visited the Saudi pavilion during the tour of the exhibition that is organized by the National Mining Association (NMA). The exhibition features several prominent Saudi mining companies alongside the National Industrial Development Center.

Alkhorayef met with several leading global mining companies. He explored collaboration opportunities in the mining sector, highlighting the relative advantages of investing in mining in Saudi Arabia.

Since 1996, the MINExpo has been held every four years and attracts the leading mining companies from around the world. It showcases all mining operations' latest technologies and equipment, including safety equipment, drilling machinery, and mineral exploration machines.

The exhibition serves as a platform for exchanging experiences and the latest innovations in the mining sector, fostering effective partnerships between government and private institutions interested in mining.

Its events and exhibits cover all mining sectors, including precious metals, non-ferrous metals, ferrous metals, industrial minerals, stone and quarry mining, sand, gravel, and coal.

Alkhorayef is on an official trip to the US that aims to develop industrial and mining cooperation, strengthen bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia, and attract quality investments to the Kingdom. The visit also explores mutual investment opportunities in promising industrial sectors, particularly aviation and space.