Gold rebounds from one-week low as Iran cites progress in peace talks

[BENGALURU] Gold on Monday (Jun 22) rebounded from a more than one-week low hit in the last session, as oil prices fell after Iran cited progress in US-Iran peace talks, though bets of higher interest rates after hawkish US Federal Reserve signals weighed on the metal’s outlook.

Spot gold was up 0.9 per cent at US$4,197.41 per ounce, as at 10.38 am Singapore time, after falling to its lowest level since Jun 11 on Friday. US gold futures for August delivery fell 0.7 per cent to US$4,215.90.

The first round of talks between high-ranking US and Iranian officials in Switzerland ended on Monday, with an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying that good progress has been made, according to Iran’s Press TV.

A joint statement from mediating nations Qatar and Pakistan said that the US and Iran agreed to a roadmap towards a final deal within 60 days.

“The current situation in Switzerland is quite different from a few hours ago when the two sides were squabbling, but now it seems they are making some progress,” said Edward Meir, an analyst at Marex.

“We are going to be trading on geopolitical guidelines for a little while longer but the situation is fluid so perhaps best to watch the action from the sidelines for now,” Meir added.

Brent crude futures fell over 1 per cent after the announcement. Elevated oil prices stoke inflation concerns and raise expectations of higher interest rates. Gold tends to lose appeal when rates are high, as it does not yield interest.

Meanwhile, Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh’s emphasis on inflation in last week’s press conference, without any more nuanced commentary about what might clear the bar for a rate hike, led investors to conclude an increase was coming soon.

Nine of the Fed’s 19 policymakers believe they will need to raise the policy rate this year.

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Gold advances as peace deal optimism counters hawkish US Fed

Traders see an 89 per cent chance of a rate hike in December, from 61 per cent before the Fed’s meeting, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

Spot silver rose 1.8 per cent to US$66.10 per ounce, platinum gained 0.2 per cent to US$1,667.97, and palladium was up 1 per cent at US$1,270.41. REUTERS