Metals

Gold edges up as dollar holds steady

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Key Points
  • Gold vacillated on Thursday.
  • The dollar was rose after tumbling in the previous session.
  • The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point.
AP

Gold vacillated after inching up in early trade on Thursday as the dollar recovered from a dive following the U.S. Federal Reserve's widely expected decision to raise interest rates, although it left the outlook on rates unchanged.

Spot gold was down 0.17 percent at $1,253.20 an ounce as of 11:57 a.m. ET, after rising nearly 1 percent in the previous session.

U.S. gold futures rose 0.55 percent percent at $1,255.50.

The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was 0.26 percent to 93.67 after falling 0.7 percent on Wednesday.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to a range of 1.25 percent to 1.50 percent on Wednesday, with policymakers projecting a short-term jump in U.S. economic growth from the Trump administration's proposed tax cuts.

Underlying U.S. consumer inflation slowed in November, held down by weak healthcare costs and the biggest drop in apparel prices in nearly two decades, which could impact the pace at which the Federal Reserve raises interest rates next year.

The Fed just raised rates for the third time this year, is it safe to keep buying?
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The Fed just raised rates for the third time this year, is it safe to keep buying?

The European Central Bank is likely to bump up some of its economic forecasts on Thursday and may debate tweaking its pledge to keep money at its current, ultra-easy level, but will ultimately reaffirm is policy stance.

Congressional Republicans reached a deal on final tax legislation on Wednesday, clearing the way for final votes next week on a package that would slash the U.S. corporate tax rate to 21 percent and cut taxes for wealthy Americans.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Wednesday dismissed Republican lawmakers' charges that government attorneys and agents investigating allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election are biased against President Donald Trump.

No negotiations can be held with North Korea until it improves its behavior, a White House official said on Wednesday, raising questions about U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's offer to begin talks with Pyongyang any time and without pre-conditions.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May's government was defeated on Wednesday, when lawmakers forced through changes to its Brexit blueprint that ministers said could endanger Britain's departure from the European Union.

In other metals, silver plummeted 1.64 percent to $15.80, while platinum fell 0.5 percent to $880.30. Palladium, on the other hand, jumped 1.65 percent to $1,033.30.

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