Published: 2017.07.28. Gold prices stabilize amid profit-taking, U.S. data on tap

Gold prices stabilize amid profit-taking, U.S. data on tap - Preview

Gold prices held steady on Friday, as investors locked in profits from the precious metal’s rally to six-week highs on Thursday and as markets awaited the release of U.S. second-growth data due later in the day.

On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for August delivery were little changed at $1,259.28, off the previous session’s six-week high of 1,265.00.

The August contract ended Thursday’s session 0.85% higher at $1,260.00 an ounce.

Futures were likely to find support at $1,243.20, Wednesday’s low and resistance at $1,265.00, Thursday’s high.

The dollar remained under pressure after the Fed said on Wednesday that inflation remains below its 2% target even as near-term risks to the economic outlook appear “roughly balanced.” In the past, the Fed judged that weakness in inflation was transitory.

The central bank’s cautious tone on inflation sparked fresh uncertainty over the possibility of a third rate hike this year.