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Gold inches lower as firmer bond yields dent appeal

Gold prices edged lower on Monday, weighed down by greater U.S. Treasury yields, as market participants watched out for more financial information to assess when the Federal Reserve will start cutting its interest rates.

BASICS

* Area gold was down 0.3% at $2,326.78 per ounce, as of 0126 GMT. U.S. gold futures fell 0.3% to $2,341.70.

* Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields edged up and were last at 4.2402%, making non-yielding bullion less attractive for investors.

* Information released recently showed that customer rates were unchanged in May for the very first time in nearly 2 years, while producer prices unexpectedly fell.

* Nevertheless, updated financial projections from Fed authorities after a two-day policy conference - where the central bank kept rate of interest steady - showed just one quarter-point cut for this year.

* Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari on Sunday said it's a sensible prediction that the U.S. reserve bank will cut rate of interest as soon as this year, waiting until December to do it.

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

* Gold need in India stayed lukewarm last week regardless of a. current correction in costs, as purchasers postponed purchases in. the lack of any major festivals, while premiums in top. consumer China moved on weak customer sentiment and elevated area. rates.

* China still has room to lower rate of interest, however its. capability to adjust financial policy deals with internal and external. restrictions, the official Financial News said, citing market. professionals.

* Area silver fell 0.3% to $29.46 per ounce, platinum. was the same at $957.57 and palladium got 0.5%. to $894.37.

(source: Reuters)