Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation has not materially eased and the Fed “still
has work to do,” triggering a sharp re-pricing of September rate odds, a
stronger dollar and heavy selling in precious metals. Spot gold fell 2.6% on the
day, down more than $120 to $4,480/oz, touching a one-week low of $4,464/oz.
Independent analyst Tai Wong said Warsh’s comments—his most explicit to date
that further hikes may be needed—prompted aggressive liquidation and left
markets treating September as roughly a 50/50 split between a hike and a pause.
Traders quickly increased bets on a September hike. Other metals: spot silver
-3.63% at $66.77/oz; platinum -0.27% at $1,841.9/oz; palladium’s gain narrowed
to 5.05% at $1,418.3/oz.