By Brijesh Patel
(Reuters) -Gold prices gained on Tuesday after hitting a three-week low in the previous session as the dollar eased, while investors awaited key U.S. inflation data and major central bank policy meetings for clues on interest rates.
Spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,986.09 per ounce, as of 0515 GMT. U.S. gold futures rose 0.4% to $2,001.30.
The dollar edged 0.1% lower against its rivals, making gold less expensive for other currency holders. [USD/]
“The Fed may not be so aggressive with rate cuts that are in line with current dovish market expectations. So, that has resulted in some profit-taking and short-term players taking a speculative bet on gold,” said Kelvin Wong, a senior market analyst for Asia Pacific at OANDA.
An upbeat U.S. jobs report last week reined in hopes that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates as soon as March.
All eyes will now be on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, due at 1330 GMT.
Economists polled by Reuters expect U.S. headline inflation to be flat for November and core inflation to be steady at an annual pace of 4% – well above the Fed’s 2% target.
The Federal Open Market Committee’s two-day monetary policy meeting will end on Wednesday with its interest rate decision and the release of its summary economic projections.
Traders widely expect the Fed to leave rates unchanged at 5.25%-5.50% this week and are pricing in an about 77% chance of a rate cut in May, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Lower interest rates tend to support non-interest-bearing bullion.
The European Central Bank and the Bank of England will hold policy meetings on Thursday.
Spot gold may retest a support of $1,977 per ounce, a break below could open the way towards the $1,944-$1,962 range, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. [TECH/C]
Silver rose 0.5% to $22.90 per ounce, while platinum gained 0.4% to $913.70, and palladium climbed 0.7% to $963.48 per ounce.
(Reporting by Brijesh Patel in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu, Sonia Cheema and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
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