Gold eases, set for worst week since late November

March 18: Gold eased on Friday and prices were set for their biggest weekly drop since late November as hopes for progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks dented the metal‘s safe-haven appeal.

Spot gold slipped 0.2% to $1,938.29 per ounce by 0209 GMT. U.S. gold futures were down 0.3% to $1,937.30.

The metal has fallen about 2.4% so far in the week.

“The reality is that as the concerns about the outlook for Ukraine eased, so did the gold price and talks this week of the 15-point peace plan and potential for agreement between Russia and Ukraine has seen prices come off,” said Michael McCarthy, chief strategy officer at Tiger Brokers, Australia.

“To some extent, the U.S. dollar has been an important factor and one of the things that pulled back (gold) from that attempt at the all-time highs.”

Russian troops appeared to stall in their advance on Ukrainian cities, while officials from the two countries met again for peace talks but said their positions remained far apart as the war entered its fourth week.

“Certainly a quarter point lifting rates was expected, but what wasn’t expected was six more increases over the course of this year. This is a hawkish statement from the Fed,” added McCarthy.

The dollar index rose and U.S. Treasury yields held just below three-year highs following the Fed rate decision.

Higher yields and interest rate hikes dent the appeal of bullion by raising the opportunity cost of holding non-interest paying gold.

Palladium rose 2.7% to $2,576.84 per ounce, but was on course for a second consecutive weekly fall of about 8%.

Spot silver was down 0.3% to $25.27 per ounce and set for its first weekly dip in seven. Platinum was flat at $1,021.62, but was set for a weekly dip of 5%, the biggest since November.