Gold edges higher ahead of this week’s Fed rate decision meeting (NYSEARCA:GLD)

Gold futures rose Monday, helped by a weaker dollar, as investor focus turned to the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting and U.S. non-farm payrolls data due this week for cues on the central bank’s interest rate projections.

Gold fell more than 2% last week in the wake of cooler Middle East tensions and fading hopes for early U.S. rate cuts this year, and the Fed is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady at 5.25%-5.5% at the end of its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday.