Gold prices rose on Thursday, holding firm above the key $1900 per ounce level, as a weaker US dollar and concerns over the global economic recovery from the mounting COVID-19 cases boosted demand for the safe-haven metal.
FUNDAMENTALS
Spot gold was up 0.7% at $1,930.78 per ounce by 0034 GMT. US gold futures eased 0.5% to $1,940.
The dollar index fell 0.2% against its rivals, making gold less expensive for holders of other currencies.
Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields dipped from one-month highs, reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing gold.
The US economic recovery will be slow until the coronavirus is under control, and Americans will have to manage life with the virus for at least the next several months, three Federal Reserve policymakers said on Wednesday.
More than 20.45 million people have been reported to be infected by the coronavirus globally and 743,229? have died, according to a Reuters tally.
White House and top Democrats in Congress may not be able to reach a deal on coronavirus aid, with the stalemate blocking relief to tens of millions of Americans, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.
US consumer prices rose more than expected in July, with a measure of underlying inflation increasing by the most in 29-1/2 years amid broad gains in the costs of goods and services.
Gold is seen as a hedge against inflation and the fear of currency debasement.
Asian stocks were set for broad gains on Thursday after Wall Street’s S&P 500 index briefly touched record highs.
Silver rose 0.6% to $25.71 per ounce, platinum gained 0.7% to $937.84 and palladium climbed 1.2%to $2,156.55.