Gold firms on US election, economic uncertainty

[BENGALURU] Gold edged up on Thursday after a plunge in the previous session as surging global coronavirus cases and fears of a contested US presidential election spurred demand, although a strong US dollar capped gains.

Spot gold rose 0.2 per cent to US$1,881.16 per ounce by 4.13am GMT, after falling as much as 2 per cent on Wednesday to a one-month low. US gold futures were up 0.2 per cent at US$1,882.

US political uncertainty and low-interest rates are underpinning gold's appeal, said Brian Lan, managing director at GoldSilver Central, adding investors were taking advantage of Wednesday's fall to buy bullion.

Ahead of the Nov 3 election, Democratic challenger Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump nationally, but the competition is tighter in swing states which will decide the victor.

"If Biden wins and that becomes a clear outcome that would be supportive (of gold), because the expectation would be of more stimulus and a weaker dollar," DailyFx currency strategist Ilya Spivak said.

Concerns over the pace of the global economic recovery have also gripped markets in recent days as European countries impose new lockdowns to contain a second wave of virus infections.

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The US dollar index, which has benefitted from the economic uncertainty, was steady near a one-week peak scaled on Wednesday.

On investors' radar now are central bank meetings, with the European Central Bank expected to hold off on new measures but instead hint at action in December.

On Thursday, the Bank of Japan trimmed its economic and price forecasts for the current fiscal year, raising hopes it will maintain its massive stimulus programme.

Gold has gained 24 per cent this year, helped by near-zero interest rates globally and unprecedented stimulus measures to ease the economic blow from the pandemic.

Silver was flat at US$23.41 per ounce, while platinum was steady at US$867.74. Palladium rose 1 per cent to US$2,259.51.

REUTERS