Gold Hits One-month High as Prospects for Fed Cuts Rise on Softer US Inflation Data

Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday - File Photo
Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday - File Photo
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Gold Hits One-month High as Prospects for Fed Cuts Rise on Softer US Inflation Data

Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday - File Photo
Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday - File Photo

Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday after a softer-than-expected core US inflation print increased chances of two Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, with the first likely in June.

Spot gold gained 0.3% to $2,704.56 per ounce as of 0934 GMT after hitting its highest level since Dec. 12 earlier in the session. US gold futures gained 0.7% to $2,736.50.

Further gains in safe-haven bullion were, however, limited as Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza after 15 months of conflict and heightened Middle East tensions, according to Reuters.

Gold rallied to multiple-record highs and is still up nearly 50% since the war began in October 2023.

"Although de-escalating geopolitical tensions can dilute demand for safe havens, bullion is still holding on to most of its post-CPI gains, suggesting that the Fed rate outlook remains the primary driver for gold prices," said Exinity Group chief market analyst Han Tan.

"Gold should find itself in a supportive environment, so long as market participants can hold on to expectations for Fed rate cuts in 2025."

Interest rate futures traders are pricing in near-even odds that the Fed would reduce rates twice by the end of this year, with the first reduction to come in June. Before the inflation data on Wednesday, futures were only pricing a single quarter-point interest-rate cut in 2025.

Core US inflation increased 0.2% in December after rising 0.3% for four straight months.

Central bank officials noted US inflation continues to ease after Wednesday's data, but foresee uncertainty due to anticipated Trump administration policies.

Investors are worried that the potential for tariffs after Donald Trump re-enters the White House next week could stoke inflation and limit the Fed's ability to lower rates to a greater extent.

Non-yielding bullion, a hedge against inflation, loses its appeal with higher interest rates.

Elsewhere, spot silver rose 0.7% to $30.87 per ounce and platinum firmed 0.6% to $944.23, while palladium fell 0.8% to $953.49.



Iraq to Sign Deal with Halliburton to Develop Nahr Bin Omar Oilfield

Participants observe a presentation at Halliburton's booth at the World Petroleum Congress in Houston, Texas, US December 7, 2021. REUTERS/Liz Hampton/File Photo
Participants observe a presentation at Halliburton's booth at the World Petroleum Congress in Houston, Texas, US December 7, 2021. REUTERS/Liz Hampton/File Photo
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Iraq to Sign Deal with Halliburton to Develop Nahr Bin Omar Oilfield

Participants observe a presentation at Halliburton's booth at the World Petroleum Congress in Houston, Texas, US December 7, 2021. REUTERS/Liz Hampton/File Photo
Participants observe a presentation at Halliburton's booth at the World Petroleum Congress in Houston, Texas, US December 7, 2021. REUTERS/Liz Hampton/File Photo

Iraq and US oil services firm Halliburton are close to finalizing an agreement to develop the Nahr Bin Omar oilfield, the head of Iraq's Basra Oil Company (BOC) told Reuters on Thursday.

Bassem Abdul Karim, director general of state-run BOC, said Iraq's oil ministry and Halliburton are expected to sign a confidentiality agreement in the coming days, after which Iraq will provide Halliburton with data on the Nahr Bin Omar field and its installations.

Under the deal, Halliburton will help Iraq in increasing production at the field to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), Abdul Karim said, though he did not specify a timeline. The field currently produces around 50,000 bpd, Reuters reported.

"Halliburton will also help Iraq to produce 300 million cubic feet of gas from the field", said Abul Karim.

Abdul Karim said oil production at the West Qurna 1 field, operated by PetroChina in southern Iraq, is expected to reach 750,000 bpd by the end of 2025, up from the current 550,000 bpd. PetroChina holds the largest stake in the field following Exxon's exit.

To reduce its gas import bill, Iraq has selected China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (CPECC) to develop a $1.7 billion gas project at the Nahr Bin Omar field, which will produce 300 million standard cubic feet (mscf) of gas, according to the BOC manager.

"We are in talks with CPECC to reduce the project's cost, and final signing is imminent," he said.

Asked about the impact of the latest sanctions targeting Russia on the global crude supplies and if Iraq is ready to lift production, Abdul Karim said Iraq has the capacity to increase its oil production by 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) immediately if asked by OPEC.

Iraq's oil exports from its southern ports averaged 3.232 million bpd in December, he added.