Investing.com - Gold prices rose slightly in Asia on Thursday, keeping a handle on events in Iraq after Islamist rebels seized control of two cities in strife that threatens efforts to rebuild the country's oil industry.
On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for August delivery traded at $1,261.40 a troy ounce, up 0.02%, after hitting an overnight session low of $1,258.00 and off a high of $1,265.30.
Gold prices have fallen notably in recent sessions due to expectations for U.S. recovery to continue to gain steam and prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates sooner than markets were anticipating in the recent past.
Bargain hunters sent gold prices climbing higher on Wednesday, though gains were cautious as investors remained on the sidelines for the release of the latest U.S. retail sales and weekly jobless claims reports on Thursday.
Consumer spending drives roughly 70% of U.S. economic activity, and an upbeat report could send gold prices falling by reminding investors that ultra-loose monetary policies that have supported the yellow metal since the 2008 financial crisis are on their way out.
Silver for July delivery rose 0.17% at $19.205 a troy ounce. Copper futures for July delivery rose 0.605 at $3.038 a pound.