Rising Covid-19 infections and weaker dollar boost gold

Bengaluru — Gold prices gained on Monday as rising coronavirus cases boosted the metal’s safe-haven appeal, supported by a weaker dollar as investors await this week’s US Federal Reserve meeting, while autocatalyst palladium was little changed after scaling historic highs last week.

Spot gold was up 0.3% at $1,781.97 per ounce by 5.43am. US gold futures rose 0.2% to $1,781.90 per ounce.

“The Covid-19 situation in India and Japan is deteriorating. So that is boiling demand for safety, resulting in higher gold prices,” said Margaret Yang, a strategist at DailyFX, adding that an easing dollar is further supporting prices.

Cases in India registered a record surge, while Japan declared states of emergency for Tokyo, Osaka and two other prefectures on Friday to combat a spike.

Speculators raised their bullish positions in Comex gold in the week to April 20, the US. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said on Friday.

“On the other hand, investors are looking at very strong US economic data released on Friday,” said Yang, adding higher yields are capping gold’s gains.

US factory activity powered ahead in early April, while retail sales jumped to a record high in March and hiring accelerated. Market participants now await Fed’s two-day policy meeting starting on Tuesday. Though no change in policy is expected, the focus will be on chair Jerome Powell’s media conference.

In other metals, palladium was up 0.1% at $2,858.76 per ounce, after scaling a record peak of $2,925.14 on Friday.

“Strong industrial demand from the auto sector and investor interest saw palladium trade to a fresh record high … underpinned by Nornickel’s lacklustre output numbers and continued strong demand from tightening emissions standards,” said independent analyst Robin Bhar in a note. “Palladium has been in deficit for several years and this is set to continue over coming years.”

Silver rose 0.2% to $26.04 per ounce. Platinum was up 0.4% at $1,234.42.

Reuters