GOLD FUTURES END HIGHER AFTER US FED RATE CUT DECISION

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Gold futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed higher today after the US Federal Reserve (Fed) cut interest rates for the third time this year, making the safe-haven asset more attractive to investors.

The US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) made a bold move by cutting interest rates to 3.5-3.75 per cent, the third reduction this year from 4.25-4.50 per cent in December last year -- a decision that also weighed on the US dollar.

According to US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, the economic situation remained challenging, and the decision to cut interest rates was intended to address the risks posed by a softer labour market, amid inflation still lingering above two per cent.

The spot-month December 2025 contract increased to US$4,226.60 per troy ounce from US$4,212.00 per troy ounce on Wednesday, January 2026 rose to US$4,242.40 per troy ounce from US$4,227.20 per troy ounce, February 2026 edged up to US$4,258.20 per troy ounce from US$4,243.00 per troy ounce, and March 2026 rose to US$4,274.90 per troy ounce from US$4,259.70 per troy ounce previously.

The April and June 2026 contracts also settled higher at US$4,292.90 per troy ounce from US$4,277.70 per troy ounce on Wednesday.

Trading volume climbed to five compared to nil lots yesterday, while open interest inched up to 67 contracts from 62 contracts previously.

Physical gold was priced at US$4,200.15 per troy ounce, according to the London Bullion Market Association afternoon fix on Dec 10, 2025. 

-- BERNAMA