Gold nudges higher as weaker US dollar lends support

[BENGALURU] Gold prices inched up on Thursday (Oct 21), extending gains into a third session as a softer dollar made the metal cheaper for buyers holding other currencies.

Spot gold rose 0.2 per cent to US$1,784.96 per ounce by 1.46 am GMT. US gold futures were little changed at US$1,784.60.

Bullion prices have traded between US$1,759 and US$1,788 this week. A weaker dollar on Thursday kept the metal close to the higher end of this range.

Two US Federal Reserve officials said on Wednesday (Oct 20) while the central bank should begin winding down its stimulus measures, it was too soon for interest rate hikes.

The Bank of England will be the first major central bank to raise interest rates in the post-pandemic cycle but economists polled by Reuters think the first hike will not come until early next year, later than markets are pricing in.

Gold is often considered an inflation hedge, though reduced stimulus and interest rate hikes push government bond yields up, translating into a higher opportunity cost for holding bullion which pays no interest.

Russia's gold reserves stood at 73.9 million troy ounces as of the start of October, the central bank said on Wednesday.

Spot silver rose 0.3 per cent to US$24.33 an ounce, while platinum gained 0.1 per cent to US$1,051.12 and palladium fell 0.3 per cent to US$2,066.53.

Russia's Nornickel, the world's largest palladium producer, said its palladium production in the third quarter increased 9 per cent to 598,000 troy ounces, while platinum output increased 8 per cent to 145,000 troy ounces.

REUTERS