Gold heads for second weekly fall on strong US economy, robust dollar

The U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the fourth quarter as inflationary pressures subsided amid strong consumer spending, official data showed, echoing indications that the economy kicked off 2024 on a strong note, according to an S&P Global report earlier this week.

Bullion, however, trimmed its weekly losses by gaining 0.4% on Thursday, as treasury yields dropped on abating inflationary pressures.

The dollar index rose 0.2% for the week, hovering near a six-week high, making bullion less attractive to other currency holders.

Markets widely expect the U.S. Fed to stand pat on rates at its policy meeting on Jan. 30-31, but attention will largely be on comments from Chair Jerome Powell.

Traders have deferred their first rate cut expectation and are now pricing in a 93% chance for a May cut, according to LSEG's interest rate probability app IRPR.

Focus now shifts to the Fed's favourite inflation gauge - the personal consumption expenditure (PCE) data - due at 1330 GMT.

Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding bullion.

Spot silver fell 0.2% to $22.87 per ounce, platinum was steady at $891.90, and palladium dropped 0.5% to $935.89.