Modest US Dollar strength weighs on Gold price

The US Dollar (USD) draws support from Thursday's mostly upbeat macro data from the United States (US) and turns out to be a key factor weighing on Gold price. In fact, the US Commerce Department reported that the world's largest economy expanded at a 2.9% annualised pace during the fourth quarter against consensus estimates for a reading of 2.6%. This points to an economy that continues to show resilience despite the rapid rise in borrowing costs and backs the case for the Federal Reserve (Fed) to maintain its hawkish stance for longer. This, in turn, pushes the US Treasury bond yields higher and underpins the greenback.

Positive risk tone further undermines safe-haven XAU/USD

The robust economic indicators from the US ease recession fears and boost investors' confidence, which is evident from a generally positive tone around the equity markets. This is seen as another factor exerting some pressure on the safe-haven Gold price. The downside for the XAU/USD, meanwhile, seems cushioned as traders seem reluctant ahead of Friday's release of the Fed's preferred inflation gauge - the US Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index. This will influence the Fed's rate-hike path, which, in turn, will drive the USD demand and provide a fresh directional impetus to the non-yielding yellow metal.