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Gold climbs as financiers expect crucial US inflation data

Gold prices gained on Wednesday, as financiers awaited a key U.S. inflation data later today, which might offer more hints on the Federal Reserve's policy path.

Area gold was up 0.5% at $2,189.89 per ounce as of 1:50 p.m. EDT (1750 GMT). U.S. gold futures settled 0.6%. greater at $2,212.7.

The U.S. Core Personal Usage Expenditures Price Index. ( PCE) data for February is due on Friday. The index increased 0.3% in. January.

We'll need to see whether or not U.S. inflation here. locally is soft enough to supply this clear course to lower. rates in the coming months, stated Alex Turro, senior market. strategist at RJO Futures.

He expects range-bound rate action for the session as. investors begin the sidelines ahead of the report.

Gold struck a record high recently after the U.S. Fed. expected three rate cuts in 2024 despite recent high. inflation readings.

Traders see a 70% opportunity of a June rate cut from the Fed .

Lower interest rates minimize the opportunity cost of holding. non-yielding bullion.

Central banks continue to report ongoing gold purchases,. driven by their desire to diversify their currency reserves. This is offsetting the weak point from financial investment need, which. focuses more on U.S. rate-cut expectations, said UBS expert. Giovanni Staunovo.

On the other hand, gold imports by India, the world's second-biggest. customer of the rare-earth element, are set to plunge by more than. 90% in March from the previous month, as banks cut imports after. record-high costs struck need.

Area silver was up 0.6% at $24.56 per ounce, platinum. lost 0.9% to $894.85 and palladium fell 0.7% to. $ 986.31.

(source: Reuters)