Gold prices flat at near $1,900 as higher US yields counter safe-haven bids

(Reuters) - Gold steadied below the $1,900 level on Wednesday after hitting a nine-month high in the previous session due to the Ukraine crisis, with investors focusing on inflationary risks and the likelihood of tighter monetary policies by central banks.

 

Spot gold was steady at $1,895.43 per ounce by 0731 GMT, after scaling to its highest since June 1 at $1,913.89 per ounce in volatile trade on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures GCv1 shed 0.4% to $1,899.70.

 

"The main catalyst here is the ebbing of that escalation risk that essentially we maybe have exhausted the worst of this crisis, at least in terms of fresh uncertainty," said Ilya Spivak, a currency strategist at DailyFX, while referring to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

 

The United States, the European Union and Britain announced plans to target banks and elites, while Germany halted a major gas pipeline project from Russia, which they say has amassed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's borders. Moscow has denied planning an invasion.

 

U.S. Treasury yields edged higher on Tuesday as markets see rates heading higher, with the U.S. Federal Reserve expected to move in March.

 

Money markets are pricing in just a 36.5% probability of a 50 basis point rate hike next month, down recently from around 60%.

 

Higher yields and interest rate hikes dent the appeal of bullion by raising the opportunity cost of holding non-interest paying gold.

 

"As the Fed continues to tighten and real rates continue to go up, markets don't move in straight lines, but the overall direction for gold after this Ukraine crisis ebbs is down," said Spivak.

 

Gold could go through $1,750 and test the $1,700/ounce level, he added while highlighting the technical outlook for bullion in the next six months.

 

Spot silver was flat at $24.09 per ounce, platinum was up 0.2% to $1,078.08 and palladium rose 0.3% to $2,354.54.

 

(Reporting by Asha Sistla in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)