Record run steers gold to best quarter in four years

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Bullion up over 13% so far for the quarter

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Silver set for 7% quarterly rise

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Palladium on track for quarterly rise

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Fed's Powell to speak ahead of payrolls test

(Updates prices as of 1706 GMT)

By Sherin Elizabeth Varghese

Sept 30 (Reuters) - Gold eased on Monday, taking a breather after a historic rally driven by U.S. monetary easing and heightened Middle East tensions, which put it on course for its best quarter since 2020.

Spot gold was down 0.7% at $2,639.85 per ounce as of 1706 GMT.

U.S. gold futures fell 0.2% to $2,661.50.

Gold has risen over 13% so far this quarter, which would be its best since early 2020, having hit an all-time high of $2,685.42 on Thursday, fuelled by the U.S. Federal Reserve's half-percentage-point cut and flare-ups in the Middle East.

"There may be some rotation out of precious metals into shares, but I don't think that's going to last ... undoubtedly, the trend is up in gold," said Peter A. Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist, Zaner Metals.

Analysts said bullion's run was reined in by profit-taking and a surge in Chinese stocks.

When risk appetite rises, investors generally shy away from safe-haven gold, although its recent gains have come alongside a rise in equities, especially after the Fed's oversized cut, as lower interest rates also burnish appeal for zero-yield bullion.

Traders await Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech later in the day, as well as ADP employment and non-farm payrolls data this week.

"We see more consolidation (in gold) near term," said Standard Chartered analyst Suki Cooper.

"At this stage, the main catalyst seems to be around macro drivers and monetary policy. So, scope for surprises in terms of the pace of rate cuts would potentially be the main trigger."

If gold prices retreat, particularly alongside a strengthening yuan, Chinese physical demand could rebound in the fourth quarter, Heraeus analysts said in a note.

Goldman Sachs raised its gold price forecast to $2,900 per ounce from $2,700 per ounce for early 2025.

Silver dipped 1.3% at $31.22 per ounce, but was set for a 7% quarterly rise.

Platinum shed 2% to $979.85. Palladium declined 1.1% to $999.08, but was headed for a quarterly gain.

(Reporting by Sherin Elizabeth Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas and Alan Barona)