Gold spot retreated from around the $2,180 area on Friday, printing back-to-back negative sessions as market players' hope for the beginning of the US Federal Reserve's easing cycle has been delayed due to strong US economic data. Hotter-than-expected inflation figures justify Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks to be patient and stick to the current monetary policy stance until the disinflation process evolves. The XAU/USD trades at $2,157.66, down 0.20%.