Gold flat as firmer dollar, yields counter Ukraine talks

March 29: Gold prices were flat on Tuesday, as the dollar held firm at a three-week high hit in the previous session and yields climbed higher offsetting hopes for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to be held this week. Spot gold was little changed at $1,925.71 per ounce by 0126 GMT. U.S. gold futures were down 0.8% at $1,924.20.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold was little changed at $1,925.71 per ounce by 0126 GMT. U.S. gold futures were down 0.8% at $1,924.20.

* The dollar index held firm near a three-week high hit in the previous session, making gold more expensive for other currency holders.

* U.S. benchmark 10-year note hovered close to near three-year highs, higher yields increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

* Ukraine said its top objective at the first face-to-face talks with Russia in over two weeks, due to take place in Turkey on Tuesday, is to secure a ceasefire, although both it and the United States were skeptical of a major breakthrough.

* China’s net gold imports through Hong Kong fell 13.7% to their lowest level in nearly a year in February, official data showed, as Lunar New Year holidays and high prices dented demand.

* China’s financial hub of Shanghai reported a record 4,381 asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and 96 symptomatic cases for March 28, the city government said on its official WeChat account.

* Two gold industry associations are working with miners, refiners, traders and shippers to create a database of gold bars in an effort to prevent trade in counterfeit metal and allow buyers of bullion to trace its origin, they said on Monday.

* Spot silver was up 0.3% to $24.92 per ounce and platinum shed 0.1% to $983.50, while palladium rose 0.4% to $2,243.71.