· Gold prices edged higher on Thursday as the dollar hovered near a six-month low hit on New Year's Eve amid bets that U.S. economic outperformance could be coming to an end.
Spot gold rose 0.2% to $1,520.38 per ounce by 0713 GMT, after having touched their highest since Sept. 25 at $1,525.20 on Tuesday. Bullion ended 2019 with its biggest annual gain since 2010.
U.S. gold futures were unchanged at $1,523.20.
· "Dollar weakness is the main reason, also the volumes are on the lower side so gold prices are supported," said Hareesh V, head of commodity research at Geojit Financial Services.
· The dollar started the New Year under pressure as investors wagered U.S. economic outperformance could be coming to an end as optimism on trade brightens the outlook for growth globally.
The dollar index against a basket of currencies fell 1.9% last month, having hit its lowest level since July.
A weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for holders of other currencies.
· U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the Phase 1 trade deal with China would be signed on Jan. 15 at the White House, although investors still awaited details of the agreement.
Limiting bullion's advance, Asian shares rose on China's policy easing and news that the world's two top economies would sign a trade pact soon.
· "A key thing to lookout for is stock markets, which have been setting new highs and in case there is some correction, we can see some capital flows into gold," said Brian Lan, managing director at dealer GoldSilver Central in Singapore.
Brexit, U.S. elections, Hong Kong protests and North Korea tensions will be the other key factors for the market this year, he said.
Investors also took stock of a private survey that showed China's factory activity expanded at a slower clip last month, but production continued to grow at a solid pace and business confidence shot up.
· "(Gold) has continued to demonstrate bullish inclinations as prices breached $1,500 last week despite new highs in the U.S. stock market. Bullish technical posturing will likely support prices as trading activities remain soft for the near term," Benjamin Lu, analyst at Phillip Futures, said in a note.
"A continuation of the positive trend scenario will see gold prices test the next main station of $1,540."
· Gold Technical Analysis: Charts signal short-term bullish exhaustion
The prospects of gold witnessing short-term correction have increased over the last two weeks.
To start with, the yellow metal created an inverted hammer with a long upper wick on Dec. 31. That candle has appeared at three-month highs and represents buyer exhaustion and validates the overbought or above-70reading on the 14-day relative strength index (RSI).
Further, the 4-hour chart RSI has charted lower highs or bearish divergence, contradicting higher highs on price.
The yellow metal may fall back to the 100-day average, currently at $1,513. Acceptance below that level would expose the psychological support of $1,500.
The case for a pullback would weaken if prices find acceptance above $1,526, invalidating Tuesday's inverted hammer candle.
At press time, gold is trading at $1,519, representing a 0.15% gain on the day. Dips, if any, will likely be short-lived, as the long-term outlook is bullish.
· Among other precious metals, silver rose 0.2% to $17.86 per ounce, while platinum gained 0.4% to $966.37 and palladium edged up 0.4% to $1,946.74 per ounce.
Reference: Reuters, FX Street
Thai
Eng