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Gold eyes weekly gain on United States rate-cut bets

Gold prices steadied on Friday and were headed for a weekly gain on optimism about a U.S. interest rate cut, while traders await Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's speech due next week for hints on the size of the cut.

Area gold alleviated 0.2% to $2,450.91 per ounce, as of 0320 GMT and rates have actually climbed up almost 1% this week.

U.S. gold futures fell 0.2% to $2,488.50.

U.S. economic information this week removed worries about a. recession but traders are encouraged the Fed will slash rates on. in September.

Markets see a 75% possibility of a 25-basis-point cut next month. and a 25% chance of a 50 bps reduction, the CME FedWatch tool. revealed. Traders were equally divided at the start of the week. between the 2 cut choices.

The bullish outlook for gold stays intact provided the lower. trajectory anticipated for international interest rates. The valuable. metal still poised to make a possible run at $2,500, stated Tim. Waterer, chief market expert, KCM Trade.

However in the absence of a pick-up in safe house demand, it. might need the dollar and bond yield to take an action lower for. gold to reach the $2,500 level.

A low rate of interest environment tends to increase non-yielding. bullion's appeal.

Minutes of the Fed's July policy meeting is due on Wednesday. and Powell will speak on the U.S. financial outlook next Friday. at the Jackson Hole symposium.

Somewhere else, a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks was underway. in Doha, as Palestinian health authorities reported over 40,000. deaths and pressure to end the war intensified.

Spot silver fell 0.8% to $28.16 per ounce, platinum. ticked 0.1% lower to $951.95 and palladium shed. 0.2% to $942.64. All metals were poised for weekly gains.

(source: Reuters)