Gold eases as traders wait for for US economic data
US dollar holds close to two-week high
Gold could scale $2,640 this year - analyst
Platinum, palladium down 1%
Adds comment, graphic and updates prices
By Ashitha Shivaprasad
Sept 3 (Reuters) -Gold prices fell on Tuesday, while investors awaited a slew of U.S. economic data to gauge the size of the Federal Reserve's expected interest rate cut this month.
Spot gold XAU= eased 0.2% at $2,494.56 per ounce by 0415 GMT. Prices hit a record high of $2,531.60 on Aug. 20.
U.S. gold futures GCcv1 steadied at $2,526.40.
The dollar lingered near a two-week high, making bullion less appealing for other currency holders. USD/
"Gold is unable to recapture levels around all-time highs due to lack of fresh positive catalysts. If we see U.S. data pointing to a weak economy and the Fed taking to the narrative of having a jumbo rate cut, gold will rally," said Kelvin Wong, OANDA's senior market analyst for Asia Pacific.
"Prices could go as high as $2,640 this year."
Market focus is on Friday's U.S. August non-farm payrolls report. Economists surveyed by Reuters expect the addition of 165,000 U.S. jobs.
ISM surveys, JOLTS job openings and ADP employment report are also on investors' radar.
Traders currently see a 31% chance of a 50-basis-point rate cut at the Fed's Sept. 17-18 policy meet and a 69% chance of a quarter-point cut.
Last week, data showed U.S. consumer spending picked up in July, arguing against a 50-bp rate cut.
Gold "remains our preferred hedge against geopolitical and financial risks, with additional support from imminent Fed rate cuts and ongoing emerging market central bank buying. We open a long gold trade recommendation," Goldman Sachs said.
Bullion is considered a safe asset amid turmoil and tends to thrive in a low rate environment.
Spot gold may test support at $2,473, a break below that could open the way towards $2,434, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.
Spot silver XAG= dipped 0.3% to $28.43, platinum XPT= fell 1% to $921.20 and palladium XPD= lost 1% to $968.92.
Spot gold price in USD per oz https://reut.rs/3X9ebFE
Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich
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