FUNDAMENTALS
Spot gold was down 0.5% at $1,767.76 per ounce by 0131 GMT. U.S. gold futures were down 0.5% at $1,770.00 per ounce.
Palladium fell 0.6% to $2,924.12 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $2,962.50 on Tuesday.
Benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yields rose to their highest since April 15, increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
The dollar index rose 0.1% against its rivals, making gold less appealing for other currency holders.
Market participants awaited the U.S. Fed’s statement due later in the day, for cues on the central bank’s monetary policy.
Japanese retail sales rose at the fastest pace in five months in March as consumer demand recovered from the huge hit it took from the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
U.S. consumer confidence jumped to a 14-month high in April as increased vaccinations against COVID-19 and additional fiscal stimulus allowed for more services businesses to reopen, boosting demand and hiring by companies.
Analysts and traders have slashed their gold price forecasts, with many believing a return to last year’s record highs is unlikely as economic recovery tarnishes the safe-haven metal’s appeal, a Reuters poll showed on Tuesday.
Senior U.S. officials on Tuesday pledged sustained support for India in helping it deal with the world’s worst current surge of COVID-19 infections.
Silver fell 0.9% to $26.00 per ounce. Platinum was down 1% at $1,216.75.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0600 Germany GfK Consumer Sentiment May
0645 France Consumer Confidence April
1800 US Federal Open Market Committee announces its interest rate decision followed by statement
