Gold prices rose on Tuesday, in tandem with the euro, on technical buying and as lacklustre economic data lifted investor hopes for monetary stimulus in China. Bullion prices gained after weak growth suggested that China - called by some the world's economic engine - may try to boost productivity through monetary easing. But gold ended off a five-week high hit earlier in the session as a US equities rally fizzled.
Spot gold was up 0.4 percent at $1,650.30 an ounce by 3:09 pm EST (2009 GMT), having peaked at $1,667.41. US gold futures for December delivery settled up $24.80 an ounce at $1,655.60. Prices are up 5.5 percent this year after falling 10 percent in December.
Silver eased 0.1 percent at $29.90 an ounce. Platinum was up 1.6 percent at $1,516.50 an ounce, having earlier hit a six-week high, while spot palladium was up 1.8 percent at $647.50 an ounce.