Gold falls amid assessment of economic data

Gold futures fell today, Dec. 20, after data showed that recession fears dropped to their lowest level of the year.

Gold futures for February delivery fell $0.2%, or $4.4, to $2,047 per ounce.

The dollar index, which measures the performance of the US currency against a basket of six major currencies, rose by 0.1% to 102.29 points at 9:45 pm Makkah time, after hitting 102.47 points.

The Conference Board’s Expectations Index shot up to 85.6 from a downwardly revised reading of 77.4 in November.

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harker said the central bank should begin to reduce interest rates — though not immediately.