Gold prices retreat as investors weigh Fed outlook and regional stability

 Gold prices edged lower on Monday as a resurgent U.S. dollar and stabilizing yields dampened the appeal of the non-yielding metal. Spot gold was down 0.4% at $2,642.15 per ounce, following a volatile start to the year.

The decline is partly attributed to investors reassessing the Federal Reserve's timeline for interest rate cuts in 2026. Despite the current dip, gold remains supported as a safe-haven asset due to ongoing military escalations in Latin America and the Middle East.

Analysts suggest that while short-term profit-taking is pressuring prices, long-term demand from central banks continues to provide a solid floor for the market.

N.Tebrizli