PHYS - Gold futures slip to two-week low on strong dollar rising yields

Gold pared some losses after Wednesday's release of minutes from July's Federal Reserve meeting , after futures had settled at a two-week low on weak economic data out of China, a rebound in the U.S. dollar, and rising Treasury yields.

Front-month Comex gold ( XAUUSD:CUR ) for August delivery settled -0.7% to $1760.30/oz, its fourth loss in the past five sessions, while August Comex silver ( XAGUSD:CUR ) closed -1.7% to $19.71/oz, also the fourth decline in five sessions.

Gold equities finished with broad losses, including ( NEM ) -2.5% , ( GOLD ) -2.4% , ( AEM ) -4% , ( AUY ) -3.9% , ( KGC ) -4.3% , ( NGD ) -7.6% , ( AGI ) -3.5% , ( IAG ) -5% , ( HMY ) -4.9% , ( GFI ) -3.9% , ( AU ) -3.6% .

ETFs: ( NYSEARCA: GLD ), ( NYSEARCA: GDX ), ( IAU ), ( NUGT ), ( PHYS )

After rebounding since falling below $1,700/oz in late July, analysts said gold is finding resistance to climb back above the $1,800 psychological threshold.

The prospect of less aggressive rate hikes by the Fed than previously expected has given way to " the reality that more hikes will nonetheless be needed , which diminishes the appeal of a non-yield bearing asset such as gold," according to Kinesis Money's Rupert Rowling.

Front-month Comex gold has gained 3.5% from its 52-week low of $1699.50/oz on July 20 .

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