Baghdad: Gold prices declined slightly during trading on Monday, influenced by rising market expectations regarding a possible US interest rate hike following strong US jobs data. Investors are awaiting inflation data due this week to determine the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy direction.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, spot gold fell 0.5% to $4,405.47 per ounce, after declining by about 1% in Friday’s session. US gold futures for December delivery also fell 0.5% to $4,452.20 per ounce.

In other metals markets, silver fell 0.2% to $66.03 per ounce, platinum dropped 0.8% to $1,805.53, and palladium declined 0.7% to $1,396.08 per ounce.