GOLD prices slipped on Monday as the dollar held firm and investors braced for a slew of policy decisions from major global central banks including the U.S. Federal Reserve this week.
Spot gold was down 0.4% to $2,147.79 per ounce, as of 0534 GMT. U.S. gold futures fell 0.5% to $2,150.40.
"A fairly hawkish outcome from the Fed has been baked in... it shows a fairly strong consensus that there might only be one or two cuts this year," said Kyle Rodda, a financial market analyst at Capital.com.
The Fed is considered certain to keep rates at 5.25%-5.5% at the end of its two-day meeting on Wednesday. But there is a possibility that the Fed might signal a higher-for-longer outlook on policy given the stickiness of inflation at both a consumer and producer level.
Traders are now pricing in an about 56% chance of a rate cut in June. Higher interest rates reduce the appeal of holding non-yielding gold.
Last week, data showed that U.S. consumer prices increased solidly in February and producer prices rose more than expected amid a surge in the cost of goods like gasoline and food.
"If we get a less hawkish outcome from the Fed, there's every reason that we will see a weaker dollar, lower yields, and that could just fuel a rally and provide some fundamental impetus and then you are looking at $2,200 levels," said Rodda.
The dollar held steady near a two-week high against its rivals, making gold more expensive for other currency holders.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan is expected to exit its ultra-dovish monetary policy at its two-day meeting ending on Tuesday. The Bank of England will hold its meeting on Thursday and is expected to stay put on rates.
Spot silver dipped 0.6% to $25.01, platinum fell 0.6% to $927.63 per ounce and palladium lost 0.6% to $1,071.01. - Reuters
