Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday after a softer-than-expected core U.S. inflation print increased chances of two Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, with the first likely in June.

Following the US Fed rate cut buzz on soft US core inflation data, MCX gold rate registered gains during early morning deals on Thursday. Gold futures contract on Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX)m for February 2025 expiry opened flat at ₹78,

Front-month gold futures surged to their largest gain in nearly a month, after U.S. core inflation data came in softer than expected, easing inflation pressures and renewing hopes that the Federal Reserve may implement multiple rate cuts this year after all.

An ongoing dispute over ownership stakes in Barrick’s operation in Mali has led to the arrest of mining officials, the government’s gold seizure and the company’s shutdown of its mine.

Mali's military government is holding gold seized from Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto mine site at state-owned Banque Malienne de Solidarite (BMS), two sources said, as the miner pursues plans to suspend its operations in the country.

Barrick Gold is suspending mining operations in Mali after the government seized gold stockpiles and issued an arrest warrant for Barrick's CEO. Bloomberg's William Clowes reports from Johannesburg. (