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PRECIOUS-Gold flat as robust U.S. economic data counters lower yields

Published 16/04/2021, 11:55 am
© Reuters.
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April 16 (Reuters) - Gold prices were steady on Friday as robust U.S. economic data nullified support from lower Treasury yields, although the metal looked set to post a second straight weekly gain on inflationary concerns.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold XAU= was steady at $1,763.46 per ounce by 0113 GMT. U.S. gold futures GCv1 were down 0.2% to $1,763.80 per ounce.

* Gold was set for its best week in five as inflationary concerns over massive fiscal aids and ultra-low interest rates across the globe kept the metal supported.

* U.S. Treasury yields plummeted to one-month lows on Thursday after the U.S. government imposed a broad array of sanctions on Russia as punishment for alleged misdeeds, including interfering in the 2020 U.S. election. US/

* Low bond returns reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

* Weighing on gold, data showed a better-than-expected rebound in U.S. retail sales in March, while weekly initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level since mid-March 2020. China's economic recovery from a coronavirus-induced downturn earlier last year likely accelerated rapidly in the first quarter, driven by improved demand at home and abroad and continued government support for smaller companies. Holdings of the largest gold-backed exchange-traded-fund (ETF), New York's SPDR Gold Trust GLD , fell 0.3% on Wednesday from Tuesday. GOL/ETF

* Silver XAG= was flat at $25.85 per ounce, but up for a second straight week.

* Palladium XPD= was steady at $2,741.84 but up about 4% for the week. Platinum XPT= gained 0.5% to $1,198.21.

DATA/EVENTS (GMT) 0200 China Urban Investment (YTD) YY March 0200 China Industrial Output YY

March 0200 China Retail Sales YY

March 0200 China GDP YY

Q1 0900 EU

HICP Final MM, YY

March 1230 US

Housing Starts Number

March 1300 EU

Finance ministers meet 1400 US

U Mich Sentiment Prelim

April

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