Investing.com - Gold prices fell sharply on Friday as a large sell order with an unclear catalyst jolted the market ahead of the weekend.
Gold futures for December delivery settled down 0.96% at $1,274.20 on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest level since November 7.
Prices of the precious metal rose to a three-week high on Thursday amid increased geopolitical risks, particularly in the Middle East.
The selloff in gold coincided with a move lower in the dollar, which was hit by growing doubts over whether Republicans will be able to push through their tax overhaul this year.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.13% to 94.30 in late trade. For the week, the index was down 0.61%, snapping three straight weeks of gains.
A stronger dollar tends to weigh on gold, which is priced in the U.S. currency and becomes less affordable to foreign buyers when the dollar appreciates.
Senate Republicans unveiled a tax plan on Thursday that differed from the one crafted by House Republicans, highlighting the challenges to reconciling the differences between the two plans with just a short time before the year-end deadline they have set to pass it.
Hopes of tax reform have helped boost the dollar since mid-September. Some traders believe tax reforms could bolster growth, adding pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, known as the "Trumpflation" trade.
Elsewhere in precious metals trading, silver was down 0.57% at $16.87 a troy ounce late Friday, while platinum settled at $913.15, down 1.0% for the day.
Among base metals, copper was down 0.39% at $3.074 in late trade as lackluster Chinese demand data and increasing copper stockpiles stored in metal warehouses weighed.
In the week ahead, inflation readings will matter most for global financial markets, with the U.S., UK, euro zone and Canada all set to release CPI data.
Investors will also be focusing on the Central Bank Communications Conference hosted by the ECB, with a panel discussion including the heads of the European, U.S., British and Japanese central banks in the spotlight.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, November 13
Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker is due to speak at an event in Tokyo.
Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda is to make remarks on monetary policy at an event in Zurich.
Tuesday, November 14
Australia is to release data on business confidence.
China is to publish reports on industrial production, fixed asset investment and retail sales.
Germany is to release preliminary data on third quarter economic growth. Meanwhile the ZEW Institute is to produce data on German economic sentiment.
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney are among central bankers due to speak at an event hosted by the ECB in Frankfurt.
The UK is to produce inflation data.
The euro zone is to release preliminary data on third quarter growth.
The U.S. is to publish data on producer prices.
Wednesday, November 15
Japan is to release preliminary data on third quarter growth.
Chicago Fed President Charles Evans is to speak in London.
The UK is to publish its latest employment report.
The U.S. is to release data on inflation and retail sales along with a report on manufacturing activity in the New York region.
Thursday, November 16
Australia is to release its latest jobs report.
The UK is to report on retail sales.
The euro zone is to release revised inflation data.
Canada is to report on manufacturing sales and foreign securities purchases.
The U.S. is to release reports on jobless claims, industrial production, import prices and manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.
BoE Governor Mark Carney is to speak at an event in Liverpool.
Friday, November 17
ECB President Mario Draghi is to speak in Frankfurt.
Canada is to report on inflation.
The U.S. is to wrap up the week with data on building permits and housing starts.