Gold prices surge as Fed signals slower rate hikes

The price of SJC branded gold bars surged VND100,000 ($4.04) from the previous day to VND67.6 million per tael. A tael is equal to 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

The selling price of gold rings also increased by VND200,000 to VND54.1 million per tael.

SJC gold prices are typically higher than the world average by some VND15.5 million per tael.

The minutes of the Fed’s Nov. 1-2 meeting showed that a "substantial majority" of Fed policymakers agreed it would "likely soon be appropriate" to slow the pace of interest rate hikes, according to Reuters.

Fed fund futures are now pricing in an 85% chance of 50-basis point (bps) increase in the December meeting, after four straight 75 bps hikes.

Globally, gold prices bounced above the key $1,750 an ounce level on Thursday, consolidating gains after minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest meeting signalled slower interest rate hikes.

Spot gold rose 0.4% to $1,755.73 per ounce by 0321 GMT. U.S. gold futures advanced 0.6% to $1,755.90.