By Arundhati Sarkar
(Reuters) – Gold extended gains to a third session on Wednesday boosted by a weaker dollar and dovish comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, while markets awaited more economic data for guidance on future rate hikes.
Spot gold was up 0.1% to $1,875.25 per ounce by 1346 GMT. U.S. gold futures added 0.5% to $1,874.60.
The dollar index was down 0.1% on the day after Powell avoided hardening his tone on inflation despite a resilient labour market. [USD/] A weaker dollar makes gold a more attractive bet for overseas buyers.
Daniela Hathorn, analyst at Capital.com., noted that while Powell said U.S. interest rates might need to go higher “his mention of disinflation led markets to believe he was more dovish than originally expected.”
High interest rates discourage investors from placing money in non-yielding assets like gold.
Gold prices have eased from the key psychological $1,900 an ounce level, subdued in part by bets that interest rate increases will continue, albeit at a slower pace.
Investors’ focus is turning to the U.S. Labor Department’s weekly jobless claims report ahead of the January inflation numbers next week.
“The yellow metal has been on a phenomenal run since early December and a correction was growing ever more likely. While traders have welcomed Powell’s consistent stance, it may not be enough to save gold and a deeper correction could well be on the cards,” said Craig Erlam, a senior market analyst at OANDA.
“It’s seeing some support now around $1,860 but more substantial support may be found around $1,820-$1,830.”
Elsewhere, spot silver gained 0.9% to $22.39, after hitting its lowest level in two months on Tuesday.
Platinum climbed 0.7% to $980.60, while palladium jumped 1% to $1,662.62.
(Reporting by Arundhati Sarkar in Bengaluru; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Elaine Hardcastle and Jane Merriman)
