Gold prices inched lower on Tuesday after gaining more than 1 percent in the previous session, even as a sell-off in global equities amid concerns over a trade war between China and the United States continued to support the safe-haven metal. Spot gold was down 0.1 percent at $1,339.60 per ounce, as of 0712 GMT. It climbed 1.3 percent on Monday in its biggest one-day percentage gain in a week.
US gold futures eased 0.3 percent to $1,343.60 an ounce. Gold is down most likely due to Chinese investors getting out of their positions ahead of holidays on Thursday and Friday, said MKS trader Sam Laughlin.
The three-day Qingming tomb-sweeping festival in China starts on April 5. The risk-averse sentiment in the market, however, underpinned bullion, often seen as an alternative investment during times of political and financial uncertainty.
"Gold prices at this moment serve for investors risk aversion demand and gold for the immediate short term will be well supported because of the volatility in the equity markets," said Mark To, head of research at Hong Kong's Wing Fung Financial Group.