Gold rises to one-week peak amid trade anxiety

Gold prices scaled one-week highs on Thursday, holding ground above $1,500 an ounce, as investors flocked to the safety of bullion following contradictory reports about US-China trade talks.

Spot gold gained 0.1 per cent to $1,506.78 per ounce as of 0724 GMT, having notched a peak of $1,516.77 early in the session, its highest since October 3. US gold futures dropped 0.1 per cent to $1,511.80.

"Gold is holding strong above $1,500 because of healthy inflows by ETFs (exchange-traded funds). If the US-China trade talks fail once again, gold prices could rally," said Jigar Trivedi, a commodities analyst at Mumbai-based Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers.

"Prices are not falling, because of strong investment demand and fundamental factors. $1,490 is the current support, and if prices drop below this, there could be an extended fall till $1,460."

A report from the New York Times said Washington would soon issue licences permitting some US firms to supply non-sensitive goods to China's Huawei Technologies.

A report by Bloomberg, saying the White House was looking at rolling out a currency pact with China, raised hopes of a partial deal and helped to lift risk assets.

The South China Morning Post had reported earlier in the session that a Chinese delegation was planning to leave Washington after just a day of minister-level meetings, instead of Friday as planned, sending Asian stocks toppling. However, risk sentiment has recovered slightly since.

Gold is often used by investors as a hedge against political and financial uncertainty.

"Gold ETF holdings are at three-year highs and lots of central banks are also buying, which is keeping prices supported," said Argonaut Securities analyst Helen Lau, adding that some volatility could be expected in the gold market.

Indicative of investor interest, holdings of the SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, have been at their highest since November 2016.

Spot gold looks neutral in a range of $1,488-$1,514 per ounce, and an escape could suggest a direction, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said.

Investors also sought further cues on the US Federal Reserve's trajectory on monetary easing later in the month.

"Global trade uncertainties along with subdued global growth will remain supportive towards safe-haven assets in the current term," Phillip Futures analyst Benjamin Lu said in a note.

Silver rose 0.1 per cent to $17.72 per ounce, palladium inched 0.2 per cent higher to $1,684.91 and platinum was little changed at $891.49 an ounce.