Gold eases as dollar firms; US inflation data awaited

Gold edged lower on Friday after stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data cast doubt on the Federal Reserve's rate cut outlook and lifted the dollar, while investors awaited U.S. inflation data due later in the day for further direction.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold declined 0.2% to $3,741.71 per ounce as of 0033 GMT. Bullion rose 1.7% so far this week.


* U.S. gold futures for December delivery were unchanged at $3,772.20.

* The U.S. dollar index hovered near three-week high, making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for overseas buyers.

* The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, while the U.S. economy grew faster than was estimated in the second quarter amid strong consumer spending and business investment.

* On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 100% tariff on imported branded drugs, 25% on heavy-duty trucks, 50% on kitchen cabinets and 30% on upholstered furniture starting October 1.

* Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index data, the Fed's preferred inflation measure, due at 1230 GMT, is expected to show a 0.3% month-on-month rise and a 2.7% year-on-year jump in August, per a Reuters poll.

* Fed policymaker Stephen Miran advocated for aggressive rate cuts to shield the labour market, downplaying inflation risks from tariffs.

* Safe-haven bullion, which tends to perform well in a low-interest-rate environment, hit a record high of $3,790.82 on Tuesday.

* SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings fell 0.37% to 996.85 tonnes on Wednesday from 1,000.57 tonnes on Tuesday.

* Spot silver fell 0.7% to $44.92 per ounce, platinum rose 0.6% to $1,538.15 and palladium gained 0.5% at $1,255.72. All three metals were headed for weekly gains.

DATA/EVENTS (GMT)

1230 US Consumption, Adjusted MM Aug

1230 US Core PCE Price Index MM, YY Aug

1230 US PCE Price Index MM, YY Aug

1400 US U Mich Sentiment Final Sep