Investing.com – Gold prices turned sharply lower as U.S. bond yields and the dollar soared after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said he believes inflation has “strengthened” since December, raising investor expectations for a faster pace of rate hikes.
for April delivery on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose by $16.20, or 1.22%, to $1,316.40 a troy ounce.
“We’ve seen some data that will in my case add some confidence to my view that inflation is moving up to target,” Powell said. “We’ve also seen continued strength around the globe, and we’ve seen fiscal policy become more stimulative.”
That raised the chances of a Fed rate hike in the fourth quarter of this year to about 50%. With a March rate hike all but guaranteed, the chances of rate hikes in the second and third quarters rose to about 80% and 70%, respectively. This would imply U.S. interest rates could surge to a range of 2.25% to 2.5% by year-end from the current range of 1.25 to 1.50% .
The dollar hit 3-weeks highs, while the 10-year yields moved off lows to trade within touching distance of 3%, leaving gold prices on track to post a monthly loss.
Gold is sensitive to moves higher in both bond yields and the U.S. dollar – A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for holders of foreign currency while a rise in U.S. rates, lift the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as bullion.
In other precious metal trade, fell 1.39% to $16.32 a troy ounce, while lost 1.65% to $1.63 an ounce.
fell 1.16% to $3.187, while rose 0.37% to $2.70.
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Source: Investing.com
