* Asian stock markets hit two-week high
* Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus:
https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/
(Adds comments, updates prices)
By Eileen Soreng
Oct 6 (Reuters) - Gold prices eased on Tuesday, as equities
gained following U.S. President Donald Trump's discharge from
hospital after treatment for a coronavirus infection, though a
softer dollar cushioned the bullion's further decline.
Spot gold XAU= fell 0.1% to $1,910.50 per ounce by 0722
GMT. It had hit $1,918.36 on Monday, highest since Sept. 22.
U.S. gold futures GCv1 were down 0.1% at $1,917.80.
"Equities are trading well today and because of that we are
seeing limited move in gold," said Vandana Bharti, assistant
vice-president of commodity research at SMC Comtrade.
However, "the dollar is on a backfoot and that could prompt
some buying to return in gold... As long as gold is above the
$1,900 we can expect some recovery in bullion."
Asian stock markets rose to a two-week high after the U.S.
president returned to the White House from hospital following
treatment for COVID-19 and on rising prospects for a fresh U.S.
stimulus package. MKTS/GLOB However, the severity of Trump's illness has been the
subject of intense speculation. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary
Steven Mnuchin were preparing to continue talks on the new
coronavirus relief package again on Tuesday. Gold was also weighed down by mild profit-booking, analysts
said.
Meanwhile, a weaker dollar and progress on fresh stimulus
talks limited gold's decline. The dollar index .DXY was down
0.1% against rivals making gold cheaper for holders of other
currency. USD/
"Ultimately gold should still go up since the dollar has
room to weaken," said Stephen Innes, chief market strategist at
AxiCorp.
The stimulus package is obviously going to be good for gold
and there is still a lot of election risk to be delt with, he
added.
Among other precious metals, silver XAG= fell 0.2% to
$24.30 per ounce, palladium XPD= inched 0.1% lower to
$2,360.57, while platinum XPT= eased 0.3% to $894.62.