Gold slips as dollar firms, US-Iran peace talks falter

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Gold prices slipped on Monday, pressured by a stronger dollar and ‌renewed inflation concerns that clouded the outlook for future interest-rate cuts after U.S.-Iran peace talks collapsed over the weekend.Spot gold was down 0.8% at $4,711.24 per ounce as of 11:36 ​a.m. ET (1536 GMT), after hitting its lowest since April 7 earlier in ​the session. U.S. gold futures dropped 1.1% to $4,733.40.The U.S. dollar drifted ⁠higher, making greenback-priced metals more expensive for holders of other currencies.“It’s a ​very headline-driven market. All eyes are on the price of crude oil because ​crude oil is going to direct inflation and that is going to direct Federal Reserve policy,” said Phillip Streible, chief market strategist at Blue Line Futures.The U.S. military said after ​the collapse of negotiations that it will blockade ships leaving Iran’s ports, while Tehran threatened ​to retaliate against the ports of its Gulf neighbours.Oil prices jumped above $100 a barrel following the ‌announcement, ⁠stoking inflation concerns and limiting room for central banks to cut interest rates. Elevated rates reduce the appeal of zero-yield bullion, despite its role as an inflation hedge.Markets now see around a 21% chance of a U.S. rate cut by year-end, ​according to CME’s ​FedWatch Tool, down ⁠from 40% a month earlier.Spot gold has fallen 11% since the U.S.-Israel war against Iran began on February 28.“We see ​the war-induced selloff as healthy for gold’s longer-term prospects, ​with more ⁠speculative positioning reduced,” analysts at SP Angel said.Meanwhile, spot silver was down 2.5% at $73.97 per ounce.Uncertainty over future oil supply is likely to drive strong structural demand for ⁠silver ​through accelerated investment in solar photovoltaics, Paul Wong, ​market strategist at Sprott Asset Management, said in a note.Platinum fell 0.8% to $2,027.95, while palladium gained 1.1% ​at $1,538.00.