Gold slipped for a second straight session on Thursday as hawkish comments from Federal Reserve members pushed the dollar higher.
The precious metal hit a low of $1212.04 an ounce, the lowest level in nearly a month, while currently trading around $1216.50 from the opening at $1220.42.
The yellow metal rose once in six sessions on haven demand after the deadly Brussels attacks that left at least 31 people killed.
Hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials this week regarding the U.S. economy and interest rates path helped the dollar to rebound from its lowest level in five months.
St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard suggested the Fed could hike interest rates next month.
“We can look at April and see what the data look like when we get to April,” Bullard said on Wednesday.
Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said the U.S. economy has “good fundamentals” while Philadelphia President Patrick Harker mentioned the improved outlook for the economy suggested short-term interest-rate hikes.
The dollar resumed its rebound from five-month lows versus a basket of major currencies, hitting a high of 96.38, extending its gains for a fifth straight session.
As of 12:30 GMT, the U.S. will release its durable goods data for the month of February and its weekly unemployment claims.
