Gold edges higher with spotlight on Fed meeting
Adds comments, updates with mid-session trading
US policymakers may set stage for potential rate hold into January - analyst
Investors view it as a near-given that Fed will cut rates this week
Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 53 Palestinians
By Rahul Paswan
Dec 16 (Reuters) -Gold prices inched higher on Monday as investors anticipated a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this week, with focus on the central bank's language on rate cuts next year.
Spot gold XAU= was up 0.1% to $2,652.07 per ounce as of 0155 GMT. Meanwhile, U.S. gold futures GCv1 slipped 0.2% to $2,670.90.
"A 25 basis point rate cut this week has been fully priced by markets, so the focus will be on whether this will be a 'hawkish cut', where U.S. policymakers may set the stage for a potential rate hold into January, given above-target inflation, some economic resilience and uncertainties over Trump's policies ahead," IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong said.
Investors view it as a near-given that the Fed will cut rates by a quarter point at its Dec. 17-18 meeting. Markets predict a 93.4% chance of a 25 basis points cut, but have only priced in a roughly 18% chance of another reduction in January, according to CME's FedWatch tool.
On the geopolitical front, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 53 Palestinians, including a journalist and rescue workers, medics said, while the Israeli military said its air and ground forces in the north of the enclave killed dozens of militants and captured others.
Non-yielding bullion tends to shine in a lower interest rate environment and during economic or geopolitical uncertainty.
"Over the past month, gold prices have pulled back from the $2,720 level on at least two occasions, which makes it a key resistance for buyers to overcome ahead to pave the way for more upside," Yeap said.
Spot silver XAG= was flat at $30.54 per ounce, platinum XPT= shed 0.3% to $922.05, while palladium XPD= gained 0.4% to $956.58.
Reporting by Rahul Paswan; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Varun H K
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