Gold retreats from record highs amid anticipation of US interest rate clues

Gold prices edged lower on Thursday, pulling back from the all-time highs reached earlier this week, as the dollar strengthened ahead of key US jobs data and a highly anticipated speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, which may offer further insights into future interest rate movements. Spot gold dipped 0.5 percent to $2,500.65 per ounce, retreating from its peak of $2,531.60 recorded on Tuesday. Similarly, US gold futures declined 0.4 percent to $2,537.10. The dollar index rose 0.2 percent following the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's July 30-31 meeting, which revealed a strong inclination among officials to reduce interest rates in the coming month. Investors are now focused on the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, set to begin on Thursday, with Powell's speech on Friday expected to be a key event. Among other precious metals, spot silver dropped 0.9 percent to $29.37 per ounce, platinum decreased 0.41 percent to $959.76, and palladium slipped 0.3 percent to $948.55. Source: Ye men News Agency