• Gold price remains in a tight range, slightly above $2,030, as the US Dollar trades sideways.
• Fed Williams said interest-rate cuts are likely later this year.
• Investors await the US core PCE inflation data for fresh guidance.

Gold price (XAU/USD) consolidates in a strict range in Monday’s European session as investors are sidelined ahead of crucial economic releases this week. The upside in the Gold price remains restricted due to the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) hawkish narrative on interest rates, while tensions surrounding the Middle East crisis have capped the downside.

Fed policymakers have been reiterating that interest-rate cuts are likely later this year. However, no one is providing a detailed time frame as officials still lack evidence that inflation will sustainably come down to the 2% target.

The muted performance in the Gold price is also linked to the US Dollar, which has been trading broadly sideways as investors shift their focus towards the US core Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Price Index data for January. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, which will be published on Thursday, will likely influence market expectations for rate cuts. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback’s value against six major currencies, trades close to 103.80.