Manila: Gold slipped on Wednesday, struggling to draw buyers even as Asian stocks fell further despite China`s latest policy easing with investors remaining wary of a near-term hike in U.S. interest rates.
Bullion erased early gains to extend Tuesday`s 1.2-percent drop that came after a recovery in global equities following China`s move to cut interest rates and bank reserve requirements.
But stocks resumed their decline in Asia on Wednesday as investors feared China`s actions would not be enough to stabilise its cooling economy or halt a collapse in its stock markets.
That has, however, failed to switch appetite back to gold, typically seen as a safe haven.
"The key factor that underpins the bearish view for gold is very much the Fed rate hike expectation and that possibility is not off the table," said Barnabas Gan, analyst at OCBC Bank in Singapore.
Spot gold was down 0.3 percent at USD 1,137.20 an ounce by 0257 GMT, on track for a third day of losses. The metal`s 1.2-percent fall on Tuesday was its steepest since July 20.
U.S. gold for December delivery dropped 0.1 percent to USD 1,136.90 an ounce.
U.S. consumer confidence hit a seven-month high in August and new single-family home sales rebounded in July, suggesting underlying strength in the economy that could still allow the Federal Reserve to hike rates this year.
OCBC`s Gan said gold, which touched a near seven-week high of USD 1,168.40 last week, could only rally towards USD 1,200 "if there is confirmation that a U.S. rate hike will not happen this year".
Chinese stocks continued to lead Asia lower, with the Shanghai composite down nearly 3 percent.
"Drip-feed of stimulus might not be sufficient to arrest aggressive bears, or significantly lift the economy in a demand-constrained world," Mizuho Bank said in a note on China`s policy action.
Palladium was off 0.4 percent at USD 533.90 an ounce after tumbling more than 6 percent overnight, its steepest fall since April 2013. The metal, mainly used in emissions control systems for cars, trucks and other vehicles, hit a five-year trough of USD 528.50 on Tuesday and has lost around 11 percent so far this week.
Platinum was steady at USD 973.80 an ounce and silver dipped 0.5 percent to USD 14.61.
