Update: Gold Trading at a Two-Month Low Even as Falling Oil Prices Ease Inflation Concerns
(Updates prices.)Gold fell to a two-month low early on Wednesday, even as the dollar dipped as oil prices weakened ahead of an expected deal to end the war on Iran, easing inflation worries.Gold for July delivery was last seen down US$52.6 to US$4,482.40 per ounce, the lowest since March 26.The precious metal has remained well below its Jan. 28 record high as investors turned to the dollar as oil prices surged after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, which responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for a fifth of daily oil demand supplied by Persian Gulf nations.However oil prices have retreated from four-year highs touched last month on expectations Iran and the United States will soon end hostilities amid talks in Qatar and reopen the Strait, easing the inflation worries that have supported the dollar and pushed up treasury yields, both bearish for gold."Gold fell alongside US bond yields on Tuesday as the prospect of a Middle East peace deal weighed on oil prices, thereby easing inflation concerns. In addition, a powerful global equity rally, led by chipmakers, has reduced near-term demand for defensive assets such as gold," Saxo Bank noted.The dollar edged higher, with the ICE dollar index last seen up 0.08 points to 98.24. Treasury yields edged down, with the U.S. two-year note last seen paying 4.045%, down 0.1 basis points, while the yield on the 10-year note was down 0.4 points to 4.489%.