Gold prices mixed as yield rally cools, US data barrage in focus

Investing.com– Gold prices traded in a mixed range on Tuesday, retaining most recent gains as traders watched for any more developments in the Israel-Hamas war, while focus also turned to a string of key U.S. economic readings due this week.

Near-term demand for gold remained underpinned, with rising as the Israel-Hamas conflict fed safe haven demand. But a drop in signaled that gold bulls remained wary of higher-for-longer interest rates.

Still, a drop in the and yields from recent peaks also offered some relief to bullion prices. 

Spot gold rose 0.1% to $1,975.71 an ounce, while gold futures expiring in December fell 0.1% to $1,986.55 an ounce by 00:14 ET (04:14 GMT). Both instruments remained within sight of a near three-month high. 

The yellow metal saw stellar gains over the past two weeks as the onset of the Israel-Hamas war sent investors squarely into safe havens. Markets are now watching for any further escalation in the conflict, although recent diplomatic missions from several world powers appeared to have staved off any major escalation. 

Yields, dollar retreat before econ data, Fed cues 

Treasury yields came off multi-month peaks this week, while the dollar also fell as markets hunkered down before a string of key economic cues this week.

U.S. (PMI) data is due later on Tuesday, and is expected to offer more cues on business activity amid high interest rates and sticky inflation.

is then set to speak on Wednesday, potentially offering up more cues on the path of monetary policy. The Fed chair recently reiterated that the bank plans to keep rates higher for longer, and also kept alive the possibility of one more rate hike this year.

Powell’s speech also comes just a week before a , where the central bank is widely expected to keep rates on hold.

Later this week, third-quarter U.S. is on tap, while – the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge- is set to close out the week on Friday. Any signs of economic resilience and sticky inflation gives the Fed more impetus to maintain higher rates, which bodes poorly for gold. 

The yellow metal could also see diminished safe haven demand if U.S. economic growth remains steady. 

Copper recovers from one-year low

Among industrial metals, copper prices rose slightly on Tuesday, recovering from a near one-year low. 

The red metal was somewhat supported by some dialogue between U.S. and Chinese officials, which traders bet could result in improved relations between the economic giants. But other headwinds- particularly persistent concerns over China’s property market- limited any major gains. 

expiring in December rose 0.4% to $3.5927 a pound. 

Copper bulls will be closely watching the U.S. economic readings this week, given that any signs of manufacturing resilience points to some strength in copper demand. But with economic conditions deteriorating across the globe, the outlook for copper remained dour.