US gold futures rose on Tuesday as the dollar turned weaker following disappointing US home sales data, boosting bullion's appeal as a hedge against depreciating paper currencies. Gold for February delivery up $7.70 at $1,126 an ounce at 10:19 a.m. EST (1519 GMT) on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Ranging from $1,118.10 to $1,129.60 - the highest price since Dec. 17. Sentiment improved as dollar weakens after data showed US pending home sales index fell 16 percent in November. Physical, investment demand expected to return due to a weaker dollar, geopolitical issues, said Tom Pawlicki at MF Global.
Bullion holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell nearly 5 tonnes, or 0.4 percent, to 1,128.745 tonnes as of Jan. 4. Bullion supported as US crude futures stayed higher at nearly $82 a barrel due to supply worries, cold weather. Gold/oil ratio at 13.77, against previous session's 13.72. COMEX estimated 10 a.m. volume at 108,018 lots.
Spot gold at $1,124.55, against the previous session's late quote of $1,121 an ounce. March silver up 25.2 cents, or 1.4 percent, at $17.715 an ounce, up with gold. Range from $17.510 to $17.760 an ounce. COMEX estimated 10 a.m. volume at 16,762 lots. Spot silver at $17.68 an ounce, versus the previous session's late quote at $17.55 an ounce.
NYMEX April platinum up $10 at $1,533.90 an ounce driven by expectations of the launch of the first US platinum exchange-traded fund. ETF Securities said that a financial firm has bought shares of its proposed first-ever US platinum exchange-traded fund. Spot platinum was at $1,523 an ounce. March palladium up $1.10 at $422.50 an ounce on platinum's gains. Spot palladium was at $419 an ounce.
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