Gold Holds Near $2,000 as Markets Weigh Fed Rate Outlook, Economic Concerns
• Gold prices steadied after briefly hitting $2,000, as markets weighed outlook for further Fed rate hikes • Fed minutes showed central bank sticking to higher interest rates for longer • Weaker economic data increased bets Fed is done raising rates, driving gold gains • Outlook uncertain as Fed plans keep rates above 5% through end of 2024, pushing up opportunity cost • Copper prices dipped from 2-month highs as traders await more economic stimulus news from China