Gold sinks to 2-month low as US-Iran tensions stoke inflation fears
Gold prices fell to a two-month low on Thursday as fresh U.S. attacks on Iran boosted the dollar and pushed oil prices higher, stoking concerns about rising inflation and clouding the interest rate outlook.
Spot gold was down 1.1% to $4,406.81 per ounce, as of 0236 GMT, falling to its lowest level since March 27. U.S. gold futures for June delivery fell 0.9% to $4,404.90.
The dollar rose to a near one-week high, making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for holders of other currencies. [USD/]
"Geopolitical tensions remain high, and we've had too many false alarms from the peace deal talks. So I think the U.S. dollar is going to remain bid, and that means gold is likely to remain under pressure," said Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at StoneX.
The U.S. military carried out new strikes in Iran targeting a military site that officials believed posed a threat to U.S. forces and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official said, hours after President Donald Trump dismissed an Iranian report of a deal to restore traffic through the strategic waterway.
Oil prices rose about 2% in early Asian trade on Thursday, as tensions between the U.S. and Iran persisted. [O/R]
Elevated crude oil prices can accelerate inflation and keep interest rates higher for longer. While gold is seen as a hedge against inflation, higher rates tend to weigh on the non-yielding metal.
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Wednesday said she feels the U.S. central bank should hold short-term interest rates steady for now, but, with tariffs, the Iran war, and a surge in AI-related investment pushing prices higher, she is prepared to hike rates if needed.
Investors await the release of U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures data, due later in the day, for clues on the Fed's monetary policy path.
Spot silver fell 1.6% to $73.44 per ounce, platinum lost 0.8% to $1,902.66, and palladium slid 1% to $1,376.66.
