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Gold rates set for 2nd weekly gain on Fed rate outlook

Gold prices held stable on Friday and were on track for a second consecutive weekly gain, as recent U.S. financial information prompted traders to raise bets of an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve later this year.

BASICS

* Area gold held its ground at $2,377.09 per ounce, as of 0114 GMT. Bullion rates increased 0.7% so far for the week.

* U.S. gold futures edged 0.2% lower at $2,381.20.

* The dollar index was down 0.7% for the week up until now, against its rivals, making gold more economical for other currency holders.

* The variety of Americans filing new claims for unemployed benefits fell last week, relaxing almost half of the jump at the start of the month, indicating that labor market conditions stay relatively tight even as task development is cooling.

* Information today provided the U.S. Federal Reserve great news on two fronts, but policymakers have not freely moved views yet about the timing of rate cuts financiers are persuaded will start this year.

* Lower rate of interest decrease the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold.

* Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said the April inflation report might have offered essential clues about the direction of inflation, particularly a slowed increase in shelter expense.

* The International Monetary Fund views recent U.S. inflation data as overall higher than we would like to see and is prompting the Federal Reserve to stay careful and stay data-dependent.

* Anglo American has suspended hiring globally, as it gets plans underway to simplify itself and construct value - and avoid a $43 billion takeover bid by Australia's BHP Group.

* Asian markets enter into the session looking to end a strong week on a positive note, and there seems no apparent reason the current increase must reverse unless investors select a bout of profit taking ahead of the weekend.

* Area silver was flat at $29.61 per ounce, platinum was up 0.4% at $1,061.80 and palladium fell 0.5%. to $989.44.

(source: Reuters)