PRECIOUS-Gold dips as dollar ticks up; all eyes on inflation data

Feb 20 (Reuters) - Gold prices edged lower on Friday as the dollar firmed to a near one-month high, while investors awaited a key inflation report due later in the day for more cues on U.S. monetary policy trajectory.

FUNDAMENTALS

Spot gold XAU= dipped 0.1% to $4,995.91 per ounce by 0149 GMT.

U.S. gold futures GCcv1 for April delivery were up 0.3% at $5,013.60.

The dollar was poised to cap its strongest weekly performance since October, buoyed by a run of better-than-expected economic data, a more hawkish Federal Reserve outlook and as tensions between the U.S. and Iran kept markets on edge. USD/

Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holidays, which means low volumes and possibly volatile moves, traders said.

Investors awaited the Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) data, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, for more cues on U.S. monetary policy. Non-yielding bullion tends to do well in low-interest-rate environments.

Goldman Sachs said in a note that it expects significant upside risks to its gold end-2026 price forecast of $5,400 on further private sector diversification when expressed through call‑option structures.

It also said it continues to see the medium-term trajectory for gold prices as upward, potentially with elevated volatility.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday that it must make a deal over its nuclear programme or "really bad things" will happen, and set a deadline of 10 to 15 days, drawing a threat from Tehran to retaliate against U.S. bases in the region if attacked.

Spot silver XAG= eased 0.1% to $78.29 per ounce.

Spot platinum XPT= edged 0.3% down to $2,064.27 per ounce, while palladium XPD= lost 0.5% to $1,677.19.