Gold Struggles, Falls to Seven-Week Low

Gold prices were little changed after marking a 7-week low on Tuesday, as equities and the dollar were buoyed in Asian trade by upbeat economic data and strong US Treasury yields.

Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,269.71 an ounce, after earlier touching its lowest since mid-August at $1,267.76. US gold futures for December delivery shed 0.3% to $1,272.60 an ounce, Reuters reported.

“Gold no doubt is struggling for the moment as at least three variables are arrayed against it, namely, a stronger dollar, a higher rate environment and possibly a reduction in tensions with North Korea if tentative contacts revealed over the weekend amount to something,” INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir said in a note. “We see gold possibly getting to a low of $1,245 before running into some credible support.”

The dollar on Tuesday rose versus the yen and climbed to its highest since mid-August against a basket of major currencies , extending gains from the previous session when it rose on higher US Treasury yields and strong manufacturing data. Proposed US tax reforms and growing odds of a December interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve have also helped support the greenback.

Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan on Monday said the central bank would need to “look hard” at whether it should raise rates in December, while Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari earlier that day said he would want to wait on rate hikes. Higher interest rates tend to boost the dollar and push bond yields up, adding pressure on greenback-denominated, non-yielding gold.