Gold prices (XAU/USD) edges higher in Friday's European session ahead of the United States (US) ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data for December, which will be published at 15:00 GMT. The Manufacturing PMI is seen steady at 48.4, suggesting that activities contracted at a steady pace.The precious metal has a stellar performance in 2024 with gains exceeding 27%, the metal’s best annual return since 2010. This sustained rally is attributed to strong safe-haven demand amid persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict.According to three sources cited by Axios, US President Joe Biden reportedly discussed contingency plans to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran made significant progress toward developing a nuclear bomb before Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. These discussions highlight heightened concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions during the transitional period between administrations.Gold price trades near $2,660.00 per troy ounce on Friday, with the daily chart signaling an emergence of a bullish bias. The metal price has climbed above the nine- and 14-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), indicating a strengthening bullish momentum in the short term. Moreover, the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) has risen above the 50 level, further supporting the development of a bullish bias
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