April 15 (Reuters) - Gold prices rose on Thursday as a
weaker dollar boosted the safe-haven metal's appeal, while
investors awaited the release of weekly jobless claims and March
retail sales data in the United States later in the day.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= rose 0.2% to $1,738.96 per ounce by 0121
GMT. U.S. gold futures GCv1 were up 0.1% to $1,737.90 per
ounce.
* The dollar held near a three-week low against a basket of
currencies on Thursday, as U.S. bond yields levelled off
following a surge last month. USD/ US/
* A weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for buyers outside the
United States.
* Further supporting bullion, major global stock indexes
also slipped. MKTS/GLOB .N
* The U.S. economy accelerated into the spring on the basis
of rising consumer sentiment, according to the Federal Reserve,
and Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the country is on track for
faster growth and hiring in the coming months. * The eurozone economy, however, is now relying on the "two
crutches" of monetary and fiscal stimulus, which cannot be
removed until the economy recovers completely, according to
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde.
* U.S. import prices rose more than anticipated in March,
boosted by higher fuel rates and tight supply chains.
* A U.S. health panel called for more data before making a
decision on whether to resume Johnson & Johnson's JNJ.N
vaccine. * Silver XAG= rose 0.5% to $25.53 and palladium XPD= was
up 0.3% at $2,683.51. Platinum XPT= gained 0.5% to $1,176.05.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0130 Australia Employment March
0130 Australia Unemployment Rate March
0600 Germany HICP Final YY March
0645 France CPI (EU Norm) Final MM, YY March
1000 EU Reserve Assets Total March
1230 US Initial Jobless Clm Weekly
1230 US Philly Fed Business Indx April
1230 US Retail Sales MM March
1315 US Industrial Production MM March