Gold prices steady ahead of US inflation data; Fed speech in focus

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Gold prices held steady on Monday as investors awaited key US inflation data and assessed the Federal Reserve's interest rate path, following a three-month high hit last week. Spot gold was unchanged at $4,652.39 per ounce, while US gold futures rose 0.3% to $4,709.20 per ounce. Markets are watching the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index for July, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, for signals on the trajectory of US monetary policy. Investors are also awaiting a speech by Fed Chair Kevin Warsh scheduled for Friday. Among other precious metals, silver climbed 0.7% to $69.09 per ounce, platinum gained 0.6% to $1,869.22 per ounce, and palladium added 1.4% to reach $1,345.30 per ounce.