Nov 25 (Reuters) - Gold prices touched their lowest in a
week on Monday as positive developments towards an interim trade
deal between the United States and China lifted demand for
riskier assets and boosted the dollar.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,461.02 per ounce by
0058 GMT, having fallen to its lowest since Nov. 18 earlier in
the session. U.S. gold futures inched 0.2% lower to
$1,460.60.
* Asian shares made guarded gains as investors braced for
another week of likely conflicting commentary on the trade
dispute, while the outperformance of recent U.S. economic data
gave the dollar a leg up on its peers.
* The leaders of the United States and China on Friday both
underscored their desire to sign an initial trade deal.
* U.S. national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on
Saturday that a phase 1 trade agreement with China is still
possible by the end of the year, while warning that President
Donald Trump would not turn a blind eye to what happens in Hong
Kong.
* However, an ambitious "phase two" trade is looking less
likely as the two countries struggle to strike a preliminary
"phase one" agreement, according to U.S. and Beijing officials,
lawmakers and trade experts.
* U.S. manufacturing output accelerated in November to its
fastest pace in seven months and services activity also picked
up more than expected, a survey of purchasing managers showed on
Friday.
* Pro-democracy candidates in Hong Kong romped to a symbolic
majority in district council elections after residents turned
out in record numbers to vote following six months of
anti-government protests.
* Hedge funds and money managers increased their bullish
positions in COMEX gold and silver contracts in the week to Nov.
19, data showed.
* Physical gold demand remained subdued in China last week
against a backdrop of slowing economic growth, and in Hong Kong
where protests continued, while prices in India flipped into
discount as demand eased.
* Silver shed 0.3% to $16.95 per ounce, palladium
rose 0.2% to $1,778.77 per ounce and platinum was
up 0.1%, to $891.90.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0900 Germany Ifo Business Climate New Nov
0900 Germany Ifo Curr Conditions New Nov
0900 Germany Ifo Expectations New Nov
(Reporting by Sumita Layek in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya
Soni)
