Gold falls as CPI data dampens talk of over-sized US rate cut

Gold prices fell on Wednesday as the dollar and Treasury yields firmed after U.S. inflation data prompted investors to scale back expectations of an oversized rate cut from the Federal Reserve next week.

Spot gold was down 0.1% at $2,514.69 per ounce at 1:00 p.m. ET (1700 GMT). U.S. gold futures were steady at $2,543.80.

U.S. consumer prices rose only slightly in August, but underlying inflation showed some stickiness, which could dissuade the Fed from delivering a half-point interest rate cut next week.

"Inflation is still here. The consumer is still feeling it. If they do a half, it signals they're throwing in the towel here ... a quarter point is something that they're almost forced into doing here at this point," said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.

Markets are currently pricing in an 87% chance of a 25-basis-point U.S. rate cut, compared to 71% before the data, the CME FedWatch tool showed.

The Fed will lower interest rates by 25 basis points at each of the three remaining policy meetings in 2024, according to a majority of economists in a Reuters poll that found only nine out of 101 expected a half-percentage-point cut next week.

Palladium prices are rising due to changes in export regulations, particularly in Russia, said Daniel Pavilonis, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.

• Business