Gold eases as investors await Fed signals on rate path

Oct 22 (Reuters) - Gold slipped in early Asian trade on Thursday as market participants looked ahead to next week's Federal Reserve policy meeting for guidance on the trajectory of interest rates.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold fell 0.6% to $4,115.50 per ounce by 0040 GMT, after hitting its lowest since October 15 at $4,104.33 on Wednesday. US gold futures for December delivery dropped 0.4% to $4,132.30.

* Two people were killed after Saudi air defences intercepted a drone that was attempting to hit a facility at Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield on Wednesday, the energy ministry said.

* The US State Department has ordered some diplomats and family members to depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia and plans to withdraw family members from a number of other US missions in the region, US officials told Reuters.

* The Fed will skip raising interest rates this month and deliver a hike in December, according to nearly all economists polled by Reuters, as policymakers signal patience even as stubborn inflation argues for a tougher response.

* Market focus is on the Fed's October 27-28 policy meeting and next week's Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data, a key gauge closely watched by the central bank as it targets a 2% inflation rate.

* Traders see just a 16% chance of a rate hike next week but are pricing in a 90% likelihood of an increase in December, according to CME's FedWatch Tool.

* Higher interest rates typically weigh on gold prices because they increase the opportunity cost of holding bullion, which does not pay interest.

* The euro zone economy has weathered this year's energy shock better than expected, with lower dependence on fossil fuels, stronger fiscal support and an AI investment boom helping sustain growth, European Central Bank economists said on Wednesday.

* Among other metals, spot silver lost 1.1% to $57.33 per ounce, platinum slid 1.1% to $1,609.95 and palladium fell 0.8% to $1,078.52.