Feb 3 (Reuters) - Gold eased on Monday after scaling a near four-week peak, as China's central bank injected liquidity into its markets to help support firms hit by a coronavirus epidemic, with a stronger dollar holding back bullion as well.
Chinese authorities have pledged to use various monetary policy tools to ensure liquidity remains reasonably ample and to support firms affected by the outbreak in Wuhan, which has so far claimed more than 350 lives.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= fell 0.4% to $1,582.82 per ounce by 0145 GMT, having gained more than 1% in the previous session. U.S. gold futures GCv1 edged higher by 0.1% to $1,588.80.
* The coronavirus epidemic has claimed 361 lives so far in China, and a first death outside of the country was reported in the Philippines, as investors braced for volatility in Chinese markets as they reopen after the Lunar New Year break. China's central bank said it will inject 1.2 trillion yuan ($174 billion) worth of liquidity into the markets via reverse repo operations on Monday. The dollar also firmed on Monday making gold expensive for holders of other currencies. USD/
* Asian markets slid on fears over the hit to world growth from the rapidly spreading coronavirus. MKTS/GLOB China's factory activity expanded at its slowest pace in five months in January, with the virus adding to the risks facing the world's second-largest economy, a private survey showed on Monday. Total gold imports by top consumer China more than trebled in December 2019 from the previous month, but were down 28% on a yearly basis, data from the country's customs website showed on Friday. Physical gold markets in major Asian hubs saw activity dwindle last week as the coronavirus epidemic took a toll on demand, especially with China out of action. GOL/AS
* Hedge funds and money managers cut their bullish positions in COMEX gold contracts in the week to Jan. 28, data showed on Friday. CFTC/
* Holdings of the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust GLD fell 0.03% to 903.21 tonnes on Friday. GOL/ETF
* Palladium XPD= rose 0.4% to $2,286.71 an ounce, silver XAG= fell 0.7% to $17.91, and platinum XPT= rose 0.7% to $963.27.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT) (January) 0500 India IHS Markit Mfg PMI 0850 France Markit Mfg PMI 0855 Germany Markit/BME Mfg PMI 0900 EU
Markit Mfg Final PMI 0930 UK
Markit/CIPS Mfg PMI Final 1400 US
ISM Manufacturing PMI 1445 US
Markit Mfg PMI Final