Gold firmed on Friday despite pressure from a stronger U.S. dollar and bond yields, as investors assessed major central banks' decisions to stand pat on interest rates as a signal of imminent global economic pain.
Spot gold was up 0.3% to $1,924.45 per ounce by 0551 GMT, having logged its biggest daily drop since Sept. 5 on Thursday.
"The markets looked at central banks and said you're not stopping hikes because inflation is beaten, you're stopping because you're worried that global growth is about to stop," said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive.
The dollar stood near a six-month peak on the prospects of higher-for-longer U.S. rates, while benchmark 10-year Treasury yields climbed a 16-year high and global equities eyed their worst week in a month.
Investors traditionally buy gold as a hedge against economic uncertainty, but higher rates tend to weigh on non-interest-paying bullion.
Persons:
Ilya Spivak, Silver
Organizations:
Investors, U.S . Federal Reserve, of
Locations:
U.S