Gold slips as oil prices advance, Fed rate-hike voices grow

Gold prices fell on Monday as an escalation in the Middle East war pushed Brent crude above $90 a barrel, heightening inflation concerns as several U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers signalled that interest rate hikes may be needed to curb price pressures. FUNDAMENTALS Spot gold was down 0.4% at $4,000.55 per ounce, as of 0058 GMT, after hitting a ?two-week low ?on Friday ?and posting a 2.5% weekly loss. U.S. gold futures for August delivery eased 0.3% to $4,005.9. Asian share markets were hesitant on Monday ahead of a packed week of major tech earnings that will further test investor faith…