Gold Prices Pressured by Strong Dollar, Copper Extends Losses

Gold prices dipped slightly in Asian trading on Tuesday, continuing recent declines as the strength of the U.S. dollar weighed on the precious metal. The dollar’s gains were driven by expectations of smaller interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, which has pressured metal prices across the board.

Spot gold dropped 0.1% to $2,645.74 an ounce, while December gold futures fell 0.1% to $2,662.10 an ounce. Industrial metals followed suit, with copper facing ongoing pressure despite an increase in imports from top consumer China.

Dollar Strength Keeps Gold Off Peaks

Gold prices have struggled to revisit their September highs, as the dollar surged to a two-month peak. Hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials, including Governor Christopher Waller, signaled support for a more cautious approach to rate cuts, citing the U.S. economy’s resilience and stubborn inflation. The likelihood of a 25-basis point rate cut in November is now seen as over 80%, reducing demand for non-yielding assets like gold.

Platinum and silver also saw declines, with platinum futures down 0.6% and silver edging lower by 0.2%.

Copper Continues Decline Amid China Concerns

Copper prices extended their losses, with benchmark futures on the London Metal Exchange down 0.2% to $9,633.50 a ton. The red metal has been under significant pressure due to ongoing concerns about China’s economic outlook. Despite an uptick in Chinese copper imports in September, investor sentiment remained weak as China’s Ministry of Finance outlined fiscal plans without providing specific details, leaving uncertainty around potential economic stimulus. A larger-than-expected drop in China’s trade balance further weighed on the market.

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