Gold Settles at $4,346.30 as Traders Brace for Fed Rate Decision

Gold futures on the Comex exchange settled 1.27% higher at $4,346.30, a move that came as the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq split direction ahead of what reports described as a near-certain Federal Reserve interest rate decision. Gold typically draws buyers when investors are unsure how borrowing costs will move next, since it does not pay interest and its relative appeal rises when rate paths are uncertain. The divergence among the three major stock indexes suggests investors are not agreed on what the Fed's move means for equities. Some sectors benefit from clearer rate guidance while others, particularly rate-sensitive growth names, face headwinds regardless of direction. The open question is how many additional moves the Fed signals beyond the immediate decision. Commentary from Fed watchers has focused less on whether a move happens and more on the pace of what follows.