Dollar, security concerns push gold to one-week high

LONDON: Gold prices hit a one-week high on Tuesday, boosted by a lower dollar after US economic data persuaded investors to reassess the idea of an imminent Fed rate hike and rising security concerns following the bomb blast in Russia.

Spot gold was up 0.5 percent at $1,259 an ounce by 1014 GMT after touching $1,260.09, its highest since March 27. US gold futures climbed 0.6 percent to $1,261.2.

The US Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of national factory activity fell to 57.2 in March from 57.7 in February, which was the highest since August 2014, while automakers reported a 1.6 percent fall in US sales last month.

"The dollar's gains could be coming to an end. It has been rising and that's a headwind for the US economy," said Marex Spectron analyst Guy Wolf.

"People are not so worried about inflation, they don't think the Fed is behind the curve. People are not so optimistic about (US President Donald) Trump being able to deliver quickly on his election promises about taxes and infrastructure."

A falling US currency makes dollar-denominated metals cheaper for holders of other currencies.

The blast in a St Petersburg train carriage on Monday that killed 14 people and wounded 50 has fuelled security concerns around the world, triggering interest in gold seen as a safe place to park assets during times of uncertainty.

Investor interest can be seen in holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, which climbed 0.53 percent to 836.77 tonnes on Monday from 832.32 tonnes on Friday.

"While the European elections, Brexit negotiations and Trump's foreign policies could reignite safe-haven interest, gold is not without hurdles," Standard Chartered analysts said in a note. "We believe the fragile physical market and Fed rate hikes will create a softer footing for gold prices."

The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates in March. Its next policy meeting is in May.

On the technical front, gold needs to close above the 200-day moving average, currently around $1,259, to gather momentum for $1,263.80, the Feb. 27 peak, chart analysts say.

Spot silver rose 0.6 percent to $18.34 from an earlier one-month high at $18.376 an ounce.

Platinum gained 0.2 percent to $953.06 and palladium added 0.7 percent to $807.9.