Gold rose on Monday as geopolitical tensions over North Korea fuelled safe-haven demand, while doubts about US President Donald Trump's ability to enact pro-business policies pushed US bond yields and the dollar lower. Investors braced for North Korea's response to computer-simulated military exercises begun by South Korean and US forces on Monday that will continue until August 31.
"Gold is being supported by the war games and the uncertainty in Washington," said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen. Spot gold was up 0.6 percent at $1,292.18 an ounce by 1:54 pm EDT (1754 GMT). This was within sight of Friday's brief nine-month-high at $1,300.80, which came after attacks in Spain and rising fears over Trump's ability to push through tax reform and investment.
US gold futures for December delivery settled up 0.4 percent at $1,296.70 Sam Laughlin, a trader at MKS PAMP, said gold could attempt to rise above $1,300, but that "any corrective moves through $1,280-$1,285 have the potential to extend toward $1,265."
Autocatalyst metal palladium was 1.2 percent higher at $934.22 an ounce, after reaching $938.50, its highest since February 2001, helped by a rally in industrial metals. Silver was up 0.6 percent at $17.02 an ounce, while platinum was 0.4 percent higher at $978.49.