Gold declined despite a softer dollar as investors await US inflation data for
clues on Fed policy. Naeem Aslam of Zaye Capital Markets said gold holding above
the $4,400 area suggests defensive demand remains sufficient to offset pressure
from a strong US labor market. Markets are balancing US data that support
further hikes against geopolitical uncertainty that sustains safe-haven flows;
attention now turns to US PPI and CPI later this week.