PRECIOUS-Gold firms on easing dollar, U.S. stimulus bets

* Gold investors awaiting new market drivers -analyst
* Dollar slips to near one-month low
* Gold has risen 26% this year
* Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus:
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https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser

(Updates prices)
By Asha Sistla
Oct 20 (Reuters) - Gold edged higher on Tuesday as the
dollar weakened and hopes for a U.S. coronavirus aid package
ahead of the presidential election boosted bullion's appeal as
an inflation hedge.
Spot gold XAU= rose 0.4% to $1,912.71 per ounce by 1:53
p.m. EDT (1753 GMT). U.S. gold futures GCv1 settled up 0.2% at
$1,915.40.
"Gold markets are in a wait-and-see mode in regards to the
stimulus plan. It would appear that Republicans and Democrats
are still at odds over certain topics within the language," said
David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.
"However, the market still holds out some hope that some
type of stimulus plan could get done ... (Stimulus) is clearly
the most important factor for the market in the short term."
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin "continued to narrow their
differences" on the stimulus package, Pelosi's spokesman Drew
Hammill said. Gold, considered a hedge against inflation and currency
debasement, has risen 26% this year amid unprecedented global
levels of stimulus during the pandemic.
The dollar index .DXY slipped 0.4% against its rivals to
its lowest since Sept. 21, making gold less expensive for
holders of other currencies. USD/
"In the last few days, there hasn't been much volatility on
bullion as investors are awaiting new market drivers,"
ActivTrades' chief analyst, Carlo Alberto De Casa, said in a
note.
"Only a clear climb above $1,930 would give new strength to
the price," he said, adding that while the bull trend seems to
have paused, "it is definitely not yet dead".
Investors are now waiting for the final debate between U.S.
President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden
on Thursday.
Among other precious metals, silver XAG= rose 1.6% to
$24.90 an ounce, platinum XPT= jumped 2.6% to $878.95 and
palladium XPD= gained 2.2% to $2,397.04.