Gold rebounds slightly as dollar rally cools

Gold prices rose on Tuesday after sharp sell-offs in the last two sessions, as demand for the safe-haven metal was spurred by a pause in the dollar's rally, although fears of a sooner-than-expected US interest rate hike capped bullion's gains.

Spot gold was up 0.4 per cent at $1,735.58 per ounce by 05:23 GMT. US gold futures rose 0.6 per cent to $1,736.

"We are seeing some short-covering taking place right now in the market after correction post-US payrolls data," said Kunal Shah of commodities trader Nirmal Bang Commodities in Mumbai.

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"We are also seeing some bargain buying. But gains are not going to be sustained, and in the near-term gold is expected to remain under pressure because of the tapering talks in the United States."

Gold prices fell more than 4 per cent in the last two sessions after better-than-expected US jobs figures bolstered expectations for an early tapering of the Federal Reserve's economic support measures.

Two Fed officials said the US economy is growing rapidly and while the labour market still has room for improvement, inflation is already at a level that could satisfy one leg of a key test for the beginning of interest rate hikes.

Investors now shift their focus to US consumer inflation data due on Wednesday.

Though gold is viewed as a hedge against higher inflation, a Fed rate hike would dull its appeal as it increases the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding metal.

Offering some respite to gold, the dollar index was broadly flat after solid gains in the last two sessions. A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive to holders of other currencies.

Spot gold may revisit its Monday low of $1,684.37 per ounce, driven by a wave C, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

Elsewhere, silver gained 0.8 per cent to $23.62 per ounce after falling to an eight-month low on Monday.

Platinum gained 1 per cent to $989.65 and palladium rose 0.7 per cent to $2,618.71.