Gold retreats as dollar gains; all eyes on Powell speech

Gold fell on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened, with investors awaiting US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's speech for monetary strategy cues, but worries over the pandemic-ravaged global economy kept prices above the $1,900 mark.

Spot gold was down 0.5% at $1,918.77 per ounce by 0651 GMT. US gold futures edged 0.1% higher to $1,925.30.

Gold's retreat toward a key support level of $1,910 "is partly attributed to the US dollar's intra-day rebound, as traders await Powell's speech", said DailyFx strategist Margaret Yang.

The dollar index rose 0.2% against rivals, making gold expensive for other currency holders, with focus on Powell's speech at Jackson Hole on Thursday, expected to provide further clarity on the US central bank's view on inflation and monetary policy.

Safe-haven inflows into gold also curbed after top US and Chinese trade officials reaffirmed their commitment to a Phase 1 trade deal between the world's top two economies. 

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"The US-China trade news overnight that the tensions have eased slightly has dulled investors appetite for safe-havens a bit but obviously there is a lot of water to go under that bridge," ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes said.

Gold's overall trajectory remained positive, analysts said, with the metal gaining 27% so far this year as investors seek a hedge against possible inflation and currency debasement due to unprecedented money printing by central banks and near-zero interest rates globally.

"There are still a lot of concerns about the economy and they continue to indicate that rates are going be low and stimulus measures will continue, which should boost gold," Hynes added.

Adding to doubts over an economic rebound from the coronavirus crisis, a survey from the Conference Board showed US consumer confidence unexpectedly hit a six-year low in August.

Silver fell 0.3% to $26.33 per ounce, platinum dropped 0.4% to $922.99, while palladium gained 0.6% to $2,178.14. 

Reuters