April 21 (Reuters) - Gold prices slipped on Tuesday, having
risen as much as 1% in the previous session as the dollar
firmed, although losses were capped by a fragile equities
market.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= eased 0.2% to $1,689.45 per ounce by 0031
GMT, while plummeting U.S. crude oil prices increased bullion's
safe-haven appeal on Monday.
* U.S. gold futures GCv1 fell 0.4% to $1,704.60.
* The dollar .DXY was up 0.1% against key rivals, making
gold costlier for investors holding other currencies.
* Asia shares were poised to track a Wall Street tumble
after U.S. crude futures turned negative for the first time in
history. MKTS/GLOB O/R
* The U.S. Congress inched toward a $450 billion deal to
help small businesses and hospitals hurt by the coronavirus as
the Senate set a Tuesday session for a potential vote on it.
* The U.S. debate over restrictions for fighting the virus
intensified on Monday, as protesters labelled mandatory
lockdowns as "tyranny," while medical workers and health experts
warned that lifting them too soon risked unleashing a greater
disaster.
* The markets are much less confident about Europe and the
United States getting back to business ahead of the summer, a
Deutsche Bank investor survey showed on Monday.
* Bank of England Deputy Governor said on Monday Britain's
economy might be slow to recover once the government relaxes its
lockdown, if people remain wary about resuming their everyday
lives as before.
* The International Monetary Fund may need to step outside
its comfort zone and consider "exceptional measures" to help
countries deal with the pandemic and mitigate its economic
impact, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Monday.
* Gold prices are expected to consolidate below recent highs
during 2020 and 2021 as increased demand from investors for the
'safe haven' asset is offset by dollar strength and weak retail
consumption, a Reuters poll showed on Monday.
* Analysts and traders have raised their forecasts for
palladium prices, predicting the metal will remain
under-supplied even as the virus outbreak hammers auto makers,
reducing demand, a Reuters poll showed on Monday.
* Palladium XPD= rose 0.5% to $2,175.04 an ounce, while
platinum XPT= slipped 0.6% to $765.70 and silver XAG= fell
1.5% to $15.14.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0600 UK Claimant Count Unemployment Change (March)
0600 UK ILO Unemployment Rate (Feb)
0900 Germany ZEW Economic Sentiment, Current Conditions (April)
1400 U.S. Existing Home Sales (March)