June 22 (Reuters) - Gold prices rose on Monday to their
highest in a month as surging coronavirus infections intensified
concerns over a delay in global economic recovery and prompted
investors to seek the safe-haven metal.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= was up 0.4% at $1,749.54 per ounce as of
0030 GMT after hitting its highest since May 20 at $1,751.
* U.S. gold futures GCv1 rose 0.6% to $1,763.80 per ounce.
* The World Health Organization reported a record increase
in global coronavirus cases on Sunday, with the total rising by
183,020 in a 24-hour period. * Market participants also keeping an eye on developments in
Hong Kong after details of a new security law for the territory
showed Beijing will have overarching powers over its
enforcement. * Gold is used as a safe investment during times of
political and financial uncertainty.
* Rising coronavirus cases in the United States dented
investor sentiment towards riskier assets, sending U.S. stock
futures lower in early Asian trade. MKTS/GLOB
* Apple Inc AAPL.O said on Friday it would temporarily
shut 11 U.S. stores as coronavirus cases continue to rise in
southern and western states. * SPDR Gold Trust GLD , the world's largest gold-backed
exchange-traded fund, said its holdings rose 2.03% to 1,159.31
tonnes on Friday from 1,136.22 tonnes on Thursday. GOL/ETF
* Speculators increased their bullish positions in COMEX
gold and silver contracts in the week to June 16, the U.S.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday.
CFTC/
* On the physical side, gold demand sagged across major
Asian hubs as prices resurged last week, although there were
expectations that the market may be starting to recover.
GOL/AS
* Palladium XPD= fell 0.4% to $1,902.01 per ounce, while
silver XAG= gained 1% to $17.78 and platinum XPT= climbed
0.7% to $811.10.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
1400 US Existing Home Sales May
1400 EU Consumer Confidence Flash June