Aug 18 (Reuters) - Gold prices edged up on Tuesday on the
back of a weaker dollar, although gains were capped by a rally
in U.S. equities and signs of a recovery in global economic
activity.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= edged up 0.1% to $1,987.51 per ounce by
0114 GMT.
* U.S. gold futures GCv1 eased 0.3% to $1,993.30 per
ounce.
* The dollar was down 0.2% at an over one-week low, making
gold cheaper for those holding other currencies. .DXY USD/
* Asian markets were set to track Wall Street's
technology-driven rally. The Nasdaq hit a record high on Monday,
while S&P 500 reached close to its record level. MKTS/GLOB
.N
* Indicative of the beginnings of a recovery from the
pandemic, Japan's manufacturers were at their least pessimistic
in four months in August, a survey of business sentiment showed.
* Germany's economy is set for a rapid growth over the
summer months, but a coronavirus vaccine may be necessary before
a complete rebound is possible, the country's central bank said
on Monday. * Investors now await the minutes from the U.S. Federal
Reserve's last policy meeting due for release on Wednesday.
* Over 21.81 million people have been reported to be
infected by the coronavirus globally and 770,518 have died,
according to a Reuters tally. * U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday promised tax credits
for firms who relocate manufacturing facilities to the United
States from China. * Trump's administration also stated it will further tighten
restrictions on Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei.
* SPDR Gold Trust GLD , the world's largest gold-backed
exchange-traded fund, said its holdings rose 0.33% to 1,252.38
tonnes on Monday. GOL/ETF
* Silver XAG= climbed 1% to $27.69 per ounce, and platinum
XPT= rose 0.9% to $957.73. Palladium XPD= fell 1.2% to
$2,172.80.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
1230 US Housing Starts Number July