Gold Holds Near $4,158/oz as ISM Manufacturing PMI Eases to 54.5

Gold prices stayed close to session lows after US manufacturing data missed forecasts. The ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 54.5 in September from 54.6 in August, below the expected 55. The sector remained in expansion, with new orders rising to 55.3 and employment improving. Yet the prices index surged to 77.9 from 71.1, highlighting mounting cost pressures linked to tariffs and geopolitical issues. Spot gold touched a low of $4,139 before settling at $4,158.26, up just 0.03%. Analysts noted cooling odds of further Fed rate hikes after softer PCE figures, even as the 10-year Treasury yield held near 5.26%.