Gold held steady, but was on track for a weekly drop as elevated oil prices fuelled fears of inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates amid stalled US-Iran peace talks.

Spot gold was down 0.1 per cent at $4,686.29 per ounce, as of 0230 GMT. The metal is down 3pc so far this week after a four-week winning run.

US gold futures for June delivery fell 0.5pc to $4,702.

Brent crude prices have risen over 17pc so far this week to hover above $105 a barrel, as the key Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed despite an extension of the Iran ceasefire.

Opinion

Trouble at home

Trouble at home

The country’s strength lies in its political and economic stability, not in fleeting moments of diplomatic success.

Editorial

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