Gold prices fell on Monday as U.S. Treasury yields rose, while the Federal Reserve's recent hint at a slower pace of rate cuts in 2025 kept investors keenly awaiting a slew of economic data due this week to shed more light on that view.

Spot gold  fell 0.3% to $2,632.47 per ounce by 9:55 a.m. ET (1455 GMT). U.S. gold futures were down 0.4% at $2,644.50.

"Bond yields are back up again, placing pressure on gold," said Nitesh Shah, commodity strategist at WisdomTree.

Yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note rose to an over one-week high, making non-yielding gold less attractive.

"We expect a $3,050/oz by the end of the year based on a 'consensus' economic view of dollar depreciation and falling bond yields. Further escalation in tension in the Middle East could drive upside risk to our forecast," Shah said.

The Fed's latest projections in December implied a shift to a more cautious pace of rate cuts this year, with the majority of the policymakers expressing concern that inflation could reignite.

The central bank may need to keep rates higher for longer to address persistent inflation, which remains above its 2% target.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to stoke further inflation.

Source: Reuters