Investing.com– Gold prices rose to a one-month high in Asian trade on Thursday, tracking a drop in the dollar and Treasury yields as mildly softer consumer inflation data spurred bets on lower interest rates this year. 

The yellow metal was now close to breaking above $2,700 an ounce for the first time since early December, amid some bets that softer inflation and a cooling labor market will allow the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates further this year. 

But more gains in gold were limited by diminished safe haven demand, after Israel and Hamas signed a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Anticipation of more U.S. economic cues also limited losses in the dollar, as did uncertainty ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination on Monday. 

rose slightly to $2,697.45 an ounce, while expiring in February rose 0.4% to $2,728.0 an ounce by 00:01 ET (05:01 GMT). 

Gold benefits from CPI relief, dollar down 

Gains in gold came largely after consumer price index inflation data for December read slightly lower than expected. Headline was in line with estimates, while just missed expectations. 

But the print- which came just a day after softer-than-expected data- spurred increased bets that easing U.S. inflation will give the Fed more confidence to cut rates this year. The central bank is projected to cut rates twice in 2025, half of its total reductions in 2024.

Lower rates benefit gold by reducing the opportunity cost of investing in non-yielding assets. 

The slid from a two-year high on the CPI data, but still retained a bulk of its run-up in the past month. 

Gold gains limited as safe haven demand eases, econ. data looms 

But gains in gold were limited by easing safe haven demand, especially after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The Middle East conflict had been a key driver of gold demand in 2024. 

The yellow metal was also pressured by a rally in broader risk-driven assets, as the prospect of U.S. rate cuts boosted risk appetite.

Traders were still on edge before more key economic readings due in the coming days. U.S. retail sales and jobless claims data is due later in the day. 

Other precious metals were mixed, having clocked muted gains on this week’s inflation readings. fell 0.1% to $948.15 an ounce, while rose 0.3% to $31.622 an ounce.

Among industrial metals, copper prices steadied after a series of strong gains in recent sessions. Benchmark on the London Metal Exchange rose 0.3% to $9,192.50 a ton, while March were flat at $4.3957 a pound.

Focus is now squarely on Chinese data for the fourth quarter, due on Friday, for more cues on the world’s biggest copper importer.