Gold climbs to three-week high

Gold prices climbed ‌to a nearly three-week high on Wednesday as markets reassessed near-term risks after US President Donald Trump agreed to suspend bombings and attacks on Iran for two weeks, easing fears of energy-driven inflation.

Spot gold ​was up 2.5 percent at $4,819.52 per ounce, as of 0726 GMT. Earlier in the session, ​bullion rose more than 3 percent to its highest level since March 19. US gold futures for June delivery gained 3.4 percent to $4,845.30.

Trump said Washington had agreed to a two-week ​pause in attacks and received what he described as a “workable” 10-point proposal from Iran as a basis for negotiations.

His comments ​followed earlier warnings that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz or risk US retaliation on its civilian infrastructure.

“People went into this session thinking that escalation was very likely, but the announcement of a two-week ​truce kind of upended that expectation and that was gold positive,” said Nicholas Frappell, ​global head of institutional markets at ABC Refinery.

Iran’s Supreme Security Council said negotiations with the United States would begin ‌on ⁠April 10 in Islamabad after it submitted its proposal via Pakistan, adding that talks did not signal an end to the war.

Meanwhile, rising energy prices could fuel inflation and complicate central banks’ interest rates decision.

While gold is often seen as a hedge against inflation and uncertainty, its appeal tends to weaken ​in a high-interest-rate environment ​as it offers ⁠no yield.

Markets are now awaiting minutes of the Federal Reserve’s March meeting later in the day.

Gold, which began the year on a strong note, ​has fallen more than 8 percent since the Iran war erupted on ​February 28.

“This ⁠is a knee-jerk relief rally and it remains to be seen if Iran complies. For gold, the 200 day-moving-average at $4,930 and then $5,000 will be key hurdles. Similarly, $80-$81 is a important level for ⁠silver,” ​independent metals trader Tai Wong said.