Jan 27 (Reuters) - Gold prices climbed to a more than
two-week high on Monday as rising concerns over the spread of a
virus outbreak in China and its potential economic impact
prompted investors to buy the safe-haven metal.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= rose to its highest since Jan. 8 at
$1,586.42 and was up 0.6% at $1,579.94 per ounce by 0131 GMT.
U.S. gold futures GCv1 advanced 0.5% to $1,579.50.
* The new coronavirus in China has killed 80 and infected
more than 2,000, as residents of Hubei province, where the
disease originated, were banned from entering Hong Kong amid
global efforts to halt the rapid spread of the outbreak.
* Asian stocks slipped as investors remained wary of the
virus outbreak in China, while the yen jumped. MKTS/GLOB
* The coronavirus transmission ability is getting stronger
and infections could continue to rise, China's National Health
Commission said on Sunday, and the country might extend Lunar
New Year holidays due to the virus outbreak. * Investors are also keeping a close eye on the U.S. Federal
Reserve's first meeting of the year scheduled on Jan. 28-29.
* Canada's Barrick Gold Corp signed a deal with Tanzania on
Friday in which the government will take stakes in three gold
mines, ending a long-running tax dispute. * Armenia's prime minister called for environmental
protesters to end their 18-month-old blockade of a foreign-owned
gold mine on Saturday, saying the protest was not in the
national interest. * Physical gold demand was subdued in major Asian hubs last
week on account of the Lunar New Year holidays, with growing
fears the virus outbreak in China could further dampen activity.
GOL/AS
* Hedge funds and money managers cut their bullish positions
in COMEX gold contracts in the week to Jan. 21, data showed on
Friday. CFTC/
* Palladium XPD= dipped 1.7% to $2,385.85 an ounce. Silver
XAG= jumped 0.9% to $18.24, while platinum XPT= fell 0.4% to
$997.25.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0900 Germany Ifo Business Climate New Jan
0900 Germany Ifo Curr Conditions New Jan
0900 Germany Ifo Expectations New Jan
1500 US New Home Sales-Units Dec