Gold Prices Drop 2.3% on Profit-Taking, Fed-Focused Jobless Claims Data (2/12/2026)

Gold futures fall 2.3% on February 12, 2026, as traders take profits following a 1.5% rise in the preceding session. U.S. jobless claims for week ending February 12 rose to 255,000, slightly above the 250,000-year moving average, heightening expectations of continued Fed tightening. The increase in claims suggests some labor market slack, but not enough to negate ongoing inflationary pressures. The dollar rose 0.4% against the euro and 0.3% against the yen, typically putting downward pressure on gold prices.