PRECIOUS-Gold under pressure as U.S. yields, dollar firm

* European Central Bank policy meeting due on Thursday * More platinum deficits loom after record 2020 undersupply – WPIC * Platinum prices likely to reach $1,300/oz over 12 months – UBS (Updates prices) By Shreyansi Singh March 10 (Reuters) – Gold eased on Wednesday after registering its biggest jump in two months in the last session, as higher U.S. Treasury yields and a stronger dollar remained a stumbling block for bullion. Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,711.21 per ounce by 1207 GMT after rising more than 2% on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures fell 0.5% to $1,709.20. U.S. yields regained momentum on Wednesday, raising the opportunity cost of holding bullion, while the dollar also gained. “Gold prices are likely to remain under pressure, while concerns about inflation are front of mind for the market,” said CMC Markets UK’s chief market analyst, Michael Hewson, adding a stronger dollar could be a further drag on bullion prices over the next few days.

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