NEW YORK: Gold prices jumped more than 1% on Monday, with the rally spilling over into other precious metals as well, driven by a retreat in the dollar and US Treasury yields.
Spot gold rose 1.3% to $1,791.26 per ounce by 1:42 p.m. EDT (1742 GMT), after hitting its highest since April 22 at $1,797.75. US gold futures settled 1.4% higher at $1,791.80.
“A combination of bond yields remaining tame, the dollar under pressure, the amount of fiscal and monetary stimulus in this market ... all of those factors continue to drive gold and silver prices higher,” said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.
The dollar index slipped 0.3%, making gold cheaper, while benchmark US 10-year Treasury yields also retreated, reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing gold.
Gold also found support from data showing US manufacturing activity grew at a slower pace in April.
Investors now await Friday’s labour market numbers to gauge US economic health.
But strong economic data can also push gold higher as it means inflation will rise, said Michael Matousek, head trader at US Global Investors.
“We need to see gold get above the $1,800 level and sustain it for a little bit, and then it could be off to the races for $2,000.”
Gold is considered a hedge against inflation.
Elsewhere, auto catalyst metal palladium rose 1% to $2,962.94 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $3,007.73 on Friday.
While output cuts by the automobile sector necessitated by a shortage of semiconductor components could reduce palladium demand this year, the impact would be relatively small compared with production losses from Russia’s Nornickel, with a sizeable market deficit still expected, Heraeus Precious Metals said in a note.
Silver gained 3.6% to $26.84 per ounce after hitting $26.98, its highest mark since March 1. Platinum rose 2.6% to $1,229.84.
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