{
  "id": 1623588,
  "title": "Gold extends gains on easing rate-hike fears, markets await Fed minutes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/gold-extends-gains-on-easing-rate-hike-fears-markets-await-fed-minutes-1623588",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-18T03:27:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/gold-extends-gains-on-easing-rate-hike-fears-markets-await-fed-minutes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gold continued its upward trend for a third consecutive day on Tuesday as concerns over an imminent U.S. interest rate increase lessened. Investors were eagerly awaiting minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest meeting to glean insights into the central bank's future monetary policy. Spot gold climbed 0.2% to $4,424.28 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery edged up by the same margin to $4,480.90. The U.S. dollar remained near multi-month lows against major currencies, making dollar-priced metals more affordable for those holding other currencies. Analyst Tony Sycamore of IG attributed the gold gains to last week's weak U.S. economic data, which sparked optimism that the Fed might maintain rates steady throughout the year. In a Reuters poll, economists unanimously forecasted the Fed to keep its key interest rate unchanged for the rest of the year. Historical market trends suggest that gold often thrives in a low-interest-rate environment, as it diminishes the opportunity cost associated with holding non-yielding assets. The U.S. central bank recently announced that it would maintain its key interest rate steady until the end of the year. Market speculation regarding a potential September quarter-point rate hike shifted to a near-65% probability of a rate hold following unexpectedly high job losses in July, lower-than-anticipated consumer price inflation, and weaker retail sales. Analyst Sycamore noted that gold seemed to be reclaiming its reputation as a safe-haven asset with the advent of hawkish rhetoric from Iran, which assisted gold in overcoming recent yield increases. Iran announced it would transition to a \"fully offensive\" military stance, citing the stalled negotiations for a permanent end to the conflict with the U.S. Washington ruled out extending the temporary ceasefire agreement. Among other precious metals, spot silver increased 0.9% to $66.40 per ounce. Platinum rose marginally by 0.2% to $1,772.75, whereas palladium decreased by 0.3% to $1,330.05.",
  "summary": "Gold rose for a third straight session on Tuesday as fears of a U.S. interest rate hike next month eased, with investors awaiting minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest meeting for fresh clues on the monetary policy path.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "FXStreet",
        "title": "Gold gains momentum above $4,400 as softer US data dampens Fed hike odds",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/gold-gains-momentum-above-4-400-as-softer-us-data-dampens-fed-hike",
        "published": "2026-08-17T23:27:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
        "title": "Gold extends gains on easing rate hike fears, markets await Fed minutes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/gold-extends-gains-on-easing-rate-hike-fears-markets-await-fed-minutes",
        "published": "2026-08-17T23:59:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Gold extends gains on easing rate-hike fears, markets await Fed minutes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/gold-extends-gains-on-easing-rate-hike-fears-markets-await-fed-minutes",
        "published": "2026-08-18T02:47:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Gold extends gains on easing rate-hike fears, markets await Fed minutes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/gold-extends-gains-on-easing-rate-hike-fears-markets-await-fed-minutes-1617444",
        "published": "2026-08-18T02:58:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindu BusinessLine",
        "title": "Gold extends gains on easing rate-hike fears, markets await Fed minutes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/gold-extends-gains-on-easing-rate-hike-fears-markets-await-fed-minutes-1622479",
        "published": "2026-08-18T03:20:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}