Dec 19 (Reuters) - Gold prices inched up on Thursday after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= was up 0.1% at $1,477.15 per ounce, as of 0152 GMT. U.S. gold futures GCv1 were up 0.2% at $1,481.30 per ounce.
* Trump became the third U.S. president to be impeached as the House formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America. The House action sets the stage for a trial next month in the Republican-controlled Senate on whether to convict him and remove him from office.
* The dollar .DXY eased against a basket of currencies, making gold cheaper for holders of other currencies. USD/
* Two U.S. central bankers on Wednesday said the U.S. economy is in good shape after three interest-rate cuts this year, underscoring the consensus at the Federal Reserve for keeping borrowing costs where they are for the time being. Prior to the impeachment vote, Asian shares edged higher on positive global growth outlook followed by improving economic indicators. MKTS/GLOB
* Holdings of the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust GLD , rose 0.3% to 883.29 tonnes on Wednesday. GOL/ETF
* India, world's second-biggest gold consumer, has restricted imports of gold and silver in the powder and unwrought forms, the government said in a notification. Elsewhere, palladium XPD= edged up 0.1% to $1,924.97 per ounce. The metal prices had hit an all-time peak of $1,998.43 on Tuesday.
* Palladium prices are close to breaking above $2,000 an ounce for the first time, with a gaping supply deficit fuelling a remarkable run that has seen the autocatalyst metal more than quadruple in value since 2016. Silver XAG= rose 0.2% to $17.03 per ounce, while platinum XPT= fell 0.2% to $933.34.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT) 0745 France
Business Climate Mfg
Dec 0930 UK
Retail Sales MM, YY
Nov 0930 UK
Retail Sales Ex-Fuel MM Nov 1200 UK
BOE Bank Rate
Dec 1200 UK
GB BOE QE Corp
Dec 1330 US
Initial Jobless Claims
Weekly 1330 US
Philly Fed Business Indx Dec 1500 US
Existing Home Sales