Gold down as markets await Fed meeting minutes for policy direction

Spot gold fell 0.4 percent to $4,148.59 per ounce as traders awaited the Federal Open Market Committee's June 16-17 meeting minutes due Wednesday for policy direction. Gold prices have retreated more than 25 percent from record highs hit earlier this year, though bullion touched a two-week high on Monday after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire eased inflation concerns and weaker U.S. jobs data trimmed September rate hike odds to about 57 percent from over 60 percent. Spot silver slipped 0.8 percent to $61.57, while platinum and palladium also eased in trade.