Gold prices were flat on Monday, after falling more than 3% in the previous session following U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's speech that signalled interest rate hikes may be needed.FUNDAMENTALSSpot gold held its ground at $4,455.29 per ounce by 0011 GMT after hitting its lowest level since August 19 earlier in the session.U.S. gold futures for December delivery fell 0.6% to $4,504.90.The U.S. central bank will "have work to do" if policymakers don't get the confidence they need that inflation is heading down to 2%, Fed Chair Warsh said on Friday, coming closer than he has to acknowledging interest rate hikes may be needed to ease price pressures.Markets currently see a 57% chance of a rate hike at Fed's next policy meeting in September, compared with 36% prior to Warsh's comments, according to the CME FedWatch tool.Higher interest rates often weigh on gold prices since holding a non-yielding asset becomes less attractive.A series of U.S. labour market reports is due this week, including job openings, the ADP employment report, weekly jobless claims and nonfarm payrolls data.Iran condemned the United States' new economic sanctions on Friday as "state terrorism" while its supreme leader said he was banning acts that could harm "social cohesion" amid concern that more financial pain could spark unrest at home.Among other metals, spot silver was flat at $66.34 per ounce, platinum edged 0.1% higher at $1,822.46, while palladium gained 0.2% to $1,424.89.DATA/EVENTS (GMT)0130 China NBS Manufacturing PMI August1200 Germany CPI, HICP Prelim YY August
Gold holds ground after 3% drop on Warsh's hawkish stance
On Monday, gold prices held steady following a noteworthy decline. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh suggested that interest rate hikes could be on the horizon, leading markets to predict an increased chance of a September rate rise. Labor market reports set to be released this week will offer additional economic clarity. Other precious metals also experienced slight fluctuations.
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