Gold prices are declining as the Fed maintains its aggressive policy stance

On Thursday, gold prices fell, with some investors profiting after minutes from a US Federal Reserve policy meeting revealed that the central bank was likely to maintain its interest-rate hikes. The price of spot gold fell 0.1 percent to $1,851.57 per ounce. Gold futures in the United States rose 0.2 percent to $1,849.8. According to Brian Lan, managing director of dealer Gold Silver Central, the Fed’s resolve to hiking rates has influenced gold a little, with some profits being taken as the news sinks in, and prices could drop to $1,820 or so.

On Wednesday, gold recovered some of its losses caused by the dollar’s rise as minutes from the Fed’s May meeting suggested the central bank would not become more aggressive, instead raising interest rates by 50 basis points in June and July to combat inflation. In the long run, however, investors who are aware that a recession is on the horizon are looking for a high-value asset that can help them get through this period, and gold will shine, according to Lan.

The opportunity cost of owning bullion, which returns nothing, rises as short-term interest rates and bond yields rise in the United States. During financial crises, however, gold is seen as a safe-haven asset. The Fed’s decision to add two more half-percentage-point raises and then wait to see how they affect the economy was good for gold, but the market’s reaction has been disappointing, according to Michael McCarthy, chief strategy officer at Tiger Brokers in Australia.

The world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, reported a 0.2 percent increase in holdings to 1,069.81 tones on Wednesday, up from 1,068.07 tones the day before. Spot silver rose 0.1 percent to $21.99 per ounce, while platinum rose 0.2 percent and palladium rose 0.5 percent to $2,015.72 per ounce.