Gold retreats from near 5-month peak on firmer yields, equities

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Gold prices on Wednesday retreated from a near five-month high marked in the previous session, as an uptick in bond yields weighed on the safe-haven metal while strong U.S. economic data prompted the shift back into riskier assets.

FUNDAMENTALS

Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,898.58 per ounce, as of 0053 GMT, after hitting its highest since Jan.8 at $1,916.40 on Tuesday.

U.S. gold futures eased 0.2% to $1,901.90 per ounce.

Data showed that U.S. manufacturing activity picked up in May as pent-up demand in a reopening economy boosted orders. But unfinished work piled up because of shortages of raw materials and labor.

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose to a more than one-week high overnight, increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing gold.

Risk sentiment in wider finical markets remained upbeat as investors weighed the latest U.S. economic data for signs of a rebound and higher inflation reading.

Euro zone inflation surged past the European Central Bank's elusive target in May, heightening a communications challenge for policymakers who will happily live with higher prices for now, but may face a backlash from irate consumers.

Higher inflation is compounding the plight of savers and the ECB should respond by raising its interest rates from 0%, Bavaria's Finance Minister Albert Fueracker told daily Bild in comments published on Wednesday.

Market participants' focus this week will be on U.S. payrolls data due on Friday for further clarity on economic recovery and near-term Federal Reserve policy action.

SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings rose 0.3% to 1,045.83 tonnes on Tuesday from 1,043.21 tonnes on Friday.

Palladium fell 0.1% to $2,856.82 per ounce, silver edged 0.1% lower to $27.88, and platinum was steady at $1,191.51.

DATA/EVENTS (GMT) 0130 Australia Real GDP QQ, YY SA Q1 1200 Brazil Industrial Output MM, YY April 1800 US Federal Reserve issues the Beige Book of economic condition (Reporting by Brijesh Patel in Bengaluru, Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)