Gold rises as dollar backs off highs after Fed releases meeting minutes

NEW YORK/LONDON — Gold prices rose on Wednesday as the US dollar backed off its highs against a basket of currencies while investors interpreted minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting as dovish.

Most Federal Reserve policy makers thought it likely another interest rate increase would be warranted “soon” if the US economic outlook remains intact, minutes of the central bank’s last policy meeting showed.

Higher interest rates make non interest-bearing assets like gold less attractive.

However sentiment was dovish, said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures. “They’re backing off the inflation target at 2%. Just them saying that signals that [ the Fed is] dovish on rates and it doesn’t sound very aggressive. That should be supportive for metals,” Mr. Haberkorn said.

Policy makers once again debated the inflation path. Several noted that recent wage data provided “little evidence” of overheating in the labor market, while some others saw a risk that “supply constraints would intensify upward wage and price pressures, or that financial imbalances could emerge.”

Spot gold gained 0.30% at $1,294.19 per ounce by 2:35 p.m. EDT ( 1835 GMT), after touching its highest since May 15 at $ 1,297.84. US gold futures for June delivery settled down $2.40, or 0.20%, at $1,289.60 per ounce.

The dollar, in which gold and other commodities are priced, rose versus a basket of currencies but came off its highs.

Often used to store wealth in times of political or economic uncertainty, gold was underpinned by safe- haven support after US President Donald Trump said he was not pleased about recent talks with China.

Gold also saw some safe-haven support after President Sergio Mattarella gave political novice Giuseppe Conte a mandate to lead the first government in Italy made up of anti- establishment parties that have vowed to shake up the European Union, Mr. Haberkorn added.

Mr. Trump also cited a “substantial chance” his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will not take place as planned on June 12 amid concerns that Mr. Kim is resistant to giving up his nuclear weapons.

Gold has shown reduced volatility in the last few trading sessions as it attempted a break above $1,300 and prices are “waiting for a new, clear direction,” said ActivTrades chief analyst Carlo Alberto De Casa.

Silver fell 0.40% at $16.45 an ounce and platinum was 0.20% lower at $904.30 an ounce.

Palladium eased 1.2% to $979.10 an ounce. —