Gold eased on Friday, headed for its steepest weekly decline in over four months as elevated oil prices bolstered higher-for-longer interest rate expectations, while investors awaited next week’s Federal Reserve policy meet.
Spot gold eased 0.2% to $4,016.27 U.S. per ounce. paring losses slightly after touching its lowest level since July 20 earlier in the session. The metal has fallen 3.5% so far this week, which is poised to be its worst since June.
U.S. gold futures for December delivery dropped 0.7% to $4,030.40.
Speculators are trying to defend the key $4,000 level for gold because a clean break below would signal that the market has stopped pricing rate relief and started pricing sticky inflation, elevated yields, and a stronger dollar, said one expert.
Oil prices rose about 4% to a five-month high on Thursday after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia stoked concerns of further disruption to energy supplies.
Elevated energy prices bolster expectations of higher-for-longer interest rates by the Fed, increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
Focus has turned to the Fed’s October 27-28 policy meeting and next week’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data, a closely watched gauge as it is the central bank’s preferred inflation measure as it targets a 2% inflation rate.
Traders are largely expecting the central bank to leave interest rates unchanged next week, but expectations for an interest rate hike in December remain at 80%.
Meanwhile, analysts at HSBC cut their average 2026 platinum and palladium price forecasts in a research note on Thursday, citing shifting market fundamentals and investor liquidation.
Among other metals, spot silver slid 1% to $53.98 U.S. per ounce, platinum fell 0.1% to $1,568.58 U.S. and palladium steadied at $1,054.50 U.S.
All three metals were headed for weekly declines.
