Gold prices rise ahead of Yellen testimony

bengaluru — Gold prices edged up on Tuesday as the dollar crept lower, with investors turning their attention to testimony from US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen later in the day for hints on the central bank’s interest rate strategy.

Spot gold was up 0.3 per cent at $1,228.90 per ounce at 05.42 GMT, while US gold futures rose 0.4 per cent to $1,230.60.

Investors are focusing on testimony by Yellen before Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday in the wake of hints from other policymakers that could suggest they are leaning towards more hikes in interest rates this year than the two currently priced in by markets.

“The commentary will be keenly followed. Any guide to whether [a rate hike in] March is on the table will be key to moving gold,” said ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes.

“I would not expect to see much volatility, don’t think anyone is really confident enough to put on any sort of directional trades at the moment until they hear from Yellen.”

Dallas Fed president Robert Kaplan on Monday said the US central bank should act soon to raise rates, or risk having to abandon its plan to do so slowly.

Gold is highly-sensitive to climbing US interest rates, which increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion while boosting the dollar, in which it is priced. — Reuters