dec 8 reuters  gold prices rose on wednesday as the us treasury yields and the dollar eased with investor focus shifting to key inflation data due this week that could influence the federal reserves decision to taper its stimulus at a faster pace spot gold was up 02 at 178833 per ounce as of 0352 gmt us gold futures were up 03 at 178950 boosting bullions appeal benchmark 10year and 30year us treasury yields retreated from a oneweek high hit on tuesday while the dollar index dxy weakened 02 lower yields reduce golds opportunity cost while a weaker dollar decreases bullions cost for holders of other currencies bullion prices also got a lift after us president joe biden threatened to impose strong economic and other measures on russia if it invades ukraine read more gold viewed as a safehaven asset tends to benefit from economic and political uncertainty weve got this geopolitical issue bubbling in the background and thats driving a small bid in gold but theres not a lot of fervour in the move and any breakout of the 17701810 range ultimately hinges on the feds decision next week stephen innes managing partner at spi asset management investors also eyed fridays us consumer price index cpi report which could have a bearing on decision the fed takes in its policy meeting on dec 1415 negative real interest rates could keep gold near 1800 in h12022 but more downward pressure is likely to build after the fed starts hiking interest rates in mid2022 anz analysts said a note adding that it expects gold to touch 1600 per ounce by this yearend reduced stimulus and interest rate hikes tend to push government bond yields higher raising the opportunity cost of holding gold which bears no interest spot silver rose 01 to 2249 an ounce platinum gained 11 to 96155 and palladium added 01 to 185518 reporting by nakul iyer in bengaluru editing by subhranshu sahu and sherry jacobphillips