-- Gold prices rose slightly in Asian trade on Friday, extending a push above key levels after dovish signals from the Federal Reserve sparked steep losses in the dollar and Treasury yields.

The yellow metal rebounded from recent losses this week after the Fed said it was , and will consider deeper interest rate cuts in 2024. The Fed’s comments saw markets pricing in at least three rate cuts by the central bank, with the first one coming as soon as March 2024.

The slid to four-month lows after the Fed, while fell across the board with the 10-year rate breaking below 4%.

Gold benefited from this trade, as the prospect of lower rates pushed up the yellow metal’s appeal. Lower interest rates also reduce the opportunity cost of investing in gold, which offers no yields and is driven largely by sentiment and safe haven demand.

steadied at $2,036.83 an ounce, while expiring February rose 0.3% to $2,050.95 an ounce by 00:25 ET (05:25 GMT). Both instruments were up between 1.6% and 2% this week.

But gold prices were still trading well below record highs of over $2,100 hit earlier this month.

Fed seen cutting rates in early-2024

Markets were now speculating over just when the central bank will begin cutting interest rates. point to an over 70% chance the bank will cut rates by 25 basis points in March 2024.

Goldman Sachs expects the bank to cut rates by 25 basis points three times, in three back-to-back meetings beginning in March 2024.

The rate cuts also come amid growing optimism over a soft landing for the U.S. economy, although any signs of economic resilience- particularly in inflation and the labor market- could delay the Fed’s rate cuts.

While gold stands to benefit from lower interest rates, improving risk appetite could also potentially draw capital away from the yellow metal and into more risky, high-yielding assets.

Copper advances on positive Chinese data, stimulus

Among industrial metals, copper prices firmed on Friday, taking support from a weaker dollar and some positive cues from top importer China.

expiring in March rose 0.3% to $3.8857 a pound, and were set for mild gains this week.

Chinese data showed grew more than expected in November, indicating that some aspects of the economy were recovering. But readings on and missed expectations.

But sentiment towards China was also boosted by the People’s Bank injecting about 1.45 trillion yuan ($200 billion) into the economy through its medium-term lending facility on Friday.

The injection also indicated that the PBOC will keep its at record lows next week, as it moves to facilitate an economic recovery.

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