Jan 4 (Reuters) - Gold prices climbed to their highest in
eight weeks on Monday, holding above $1,900, as global COVID-19
cases spiked and countries pushed for more lockdowns despite
vaccine rollouts.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= rose 0.8% to $1,912.71 per ounce by 0102
GMT, its highest since Nov. 9, while U.S. gold futures GCv1
climbed 1.1% to $1,916.40.
* The dollar index .DXY remained weaker against rivals on
Monday, making gold cheaper for holders of other currencies.
USD/
* Global coronavirus cases continued to climb, with British
Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinting at tougher lockdown
restrictions, while Japan considered declaring a state of
emergency for capital Tokyo and surrounding areas.
* Investor focus was also on Tuesday's Georgia runoff
elections that will decide the control of the U.S. Senate, and
with it, the likely fate of President-elect Joe Biden's
legislative agenda. * The U.S. Senate ended a push by Democrats to increase
COVID-19 financial relief checks from $600 to $2,000, a change
sought by President Donald Trump, after the effort was blocked
by Republicans. * Britain will become the first country to roll out the
low-cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca AZN.L and Oxford
University COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. * The U.S. Federal Reserve will release the minutes from
their latest policy meeting on Wednesday.
* SPDR Gold Trust GLD , the world's largest gold-backed
exchange-traded fund, said its holdings rose 0.08% to 1,170.74
tonnes on Thursday. GOL/ETF
* Physical gold demand remained largely muted across top
Asian hubs last week as holidays kept buyers at bay.
* Silver XAG= gained 2.4% to $26.98 an ounce. Platinum
XPT= gained 0.6% to $1,075.15 and palladium XPD= rose 0.6%
at $2,461.95.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT, Dec)
0145 China Caixin Mfg PMI Final
0850 France Markit Mfg PMI
0855 Germany Markit/BME Mfg PMI
0900 EU Markit Mfg Final PMI
0930 UK Markit/CIPS Mfg PMI Final
1445 US Markit Mfg Final PMI