Gold Prices Drop on Trimmed Rate-Cut Bets, SPDR Gold Shares Fall 1.2% (02-12-26)

Gold prices fell on February 12, 2026, as traders trimmed bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts, reducing inflationary pressures. The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) closed 1.2% lower at $236.80 per ounce. The U.S. dollar index rose 0.6% to 31.25, pressuring gold's value. Federal Open Market Committee minutes from February 9-10 suggested a dovish bias, with officials signaling some rate cuts in 2026 but emphasizing the need to tame inflation. The move reflects a shift in sentiment from anticipation of immediate rate cuts to expectations of a more measured policy path.