NEW YORK: Gold prices rose on Tuesday, inching away from a more than eight-month low, as a retreat in the dollar and US Treasury yields lifted demand for the safe-haven metal. Spot gold was up 0.8% at $1,737.62 per ounce by 1237 a.m. ET (1737 GMT), after falling to $1,706.70 earlier in the session, its lowest since June 15.
US gold futures rose 0.7% to $1,734.40 per ounce.
“Gold surges near session highs as yields and USD dip,” said Tai Wong, a trader at investment bank BMO in New York.
“Gold’s $30 rally from the lows in Asia suggest that investors and short-term speculators are bargain-hunting and triggering short-covering as well. A close above $1,725 per ounce would be considered by many a key reversal day.”
The dollar index slipped 0.2% after hitting a near a four-week high against its rivals, making gold less expensive for holders of other currencies. Further supporting gold, benchmark US Treasury yields eased from a one-year high hit last week, while US stocks dipped after strong gains on Monday.
“The main dilemma right now for the gold bulls is the rising short-term US Treasury yields,” said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures.
“Despite the US Federal Reserve being very accommodative with stimulus, with low rates for the extended period of time, in the short term we had to deal with these rising short-term rates.”
While gold is considered a shield against inflation, higher yields threaten that status as they increase the opportunity cost of holding bullion.
Market participants kept a close watch on the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, which will be debated in the US Senate this week. Silver gained 0.9% to $26.72 an ounce, having earlier dipped to a more than one-month low. Palladium was up 1.2% at $2,378.64 an ounce, while platinum rose 1.9% to $1,207.50.
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