April 20 (Reuters) - Gold prices fell to a more than
one-week low on Monday as the dollar firmed and as investors
remained optimistic that the U.S. economy might reopen soon from
lockdowns that were enforced to contain the novel coronavirus'
spread.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= fell 0.5% to $1,675.92 per ounce by 0038
GMT, having touched its lowest since April 9 earlier in the
session. The metal slumped about 2% on Friday.
* U.S. gold futures GCv1 slipped 0.7% to $1,687.20.
* The dollar .DXY strengthened 0.1% against key rivals,
making gold costlier for investors holding other currencies.
USD/
* Caution gripped Asian share markets on expectations of a
busy week of corporate earnings reports and economic data will
drive home the damage done by the global virus lockdown.
MKTS/GLOB
* Governors in U.S. states hardest hit by COVID-19 sparred
with President Donald Trump over his claims they have enough
tests and should quickly reopen their economies as more protests
are planned over the extension of stay-at-home orders.
* U.S. Democrats and Republicans are near agreement on
approving extra money to help small businesses hurt by the
pandemic and could seal a deal as early as Monday, Trump said,
despite hopes for a deal on Sunday. * Britain is not considering lifting the lockdown imposed
almost four weeks ago given the "deeply worrying" increases in
the death toll, a senior minister said on Sunday. * Japan's exports fell 11.7% in March from a year earlier,
Ministry of Finance (MOF) data showed, reflecting a sharp drop
in external demand due to the pandemic. * Physical gold demand in China continued to be in the
doldrums last week as the coronavirus-led restrictions stalled
activity, with dealers in the top consumer offering massive
discounts. GOL/AS
* Speculators increased their bullish positions on COMEX
gold and cut them in silver contracts in the week to April 14,
the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on
Friday. CFTC/
* Palladium XPD= rose 2.4% to $2,207.81 per ounce, while
platinum XPT= fell 0.9% to $768.12 and silver XAG= eased
0.3% to $15.08.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0600 Germany Producer Prices MM, YY (March)