Gold pauses near 5-week peak ahead of ECB, US PPI data
Gold hit highest since Nov. 6 earlier in the session
ECB decision at 1315 GMT; expected to cut rates again
US PPI data due at 1330 GMT
Market sees 98% chance of 25-bp Fed rate cut next week
Recasts as of 0931 GMT
By Daksh Grover
Dec 12 (Reuters) -Gold prices held near a five-week peak on Thursday, as risk appetite increased ahead of a European Central Bank monetary policy decision and investors awaited U.S. PPI data for signals on the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook.
Spot gold XAU= was flat at $2,716.26 per ounce as of 0931 GMT. U.S. gold futures GCv1 fell 0.2% to $2,751.50.
Earlier in the session, bullion hit its highest since Nov. 6, supported by bets that the Fed will cut interest rates again next week after Wednesday's consumer prices data.
The report showed a 0.3% rise, the largest gain since April after advancing 0.2% for four straight months.
U.S. inflation data fueled expectations for a rate cut, pushing gold prices higher on Wednesday, but the gains flattened as increased risk appetite accompanied the prospect of lower rates, said Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at ActivTrades.
Gold tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment.
Equity markets rose after the tech-focused Nasdaq closed above 20,000 for the first time on Wednesday.
"Support (for gold) is expected to hold firm around the $2,700 level, while resistance is likely near today’s high of $2,726," Evangelista added.
According to CME's FedWatch tool, the odds of a rate cut in December have climbed to 98%.
The U.S. producer price index is set to be released later on Thursday, which may further cement those bets and shed light on the Fed's 2025 policy stance.
"This is an unusual time of year where one sees cross currents from profit-taking after a 30% gain year to date," independent analyst Ross Norman said.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is all but certain to cut rates again on Thursday and signal further easing in 2025.
Elsewhere, Israelis and Palestinians are signaling renewed efforts toward a limited ceasefire in Gaza, to try to halt fighting and secure the release of some hostages.
Bullion is considered as a safe investment during economic and geopolitical turmoil.
Spot silver XAG= rose 1% to $32.22 per ounce, platinum XPT= was up 0.8% to $946.65, and palladium XPD= shed 0.5% to $976.50.
Spot gold price in USD per oz https://reut.rs/4izLvQa
Reporting by Daksh Grover in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Swati Verma; editing by Barbara Lewis
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