Jan 26 (Reuters) - Gold prices eased on Tuesday, as a
stronger dollar and concerns about the size of U.S. coronavirus
relief package dented the metal's appeal.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= was down 0.1% to $1,853.99 per ounce by
0054 GMT. U.S. gold futures GCv1 eased 0.1% to $1,852.90.
* The dollar .DXY firmed against an index of rivals,
making gold expensive for holders of other currencies. USD/
* U.S. President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion pandemic relief
proposal has been met with objections from Republicans, who have
called the proposal too expensive and pushed for a smaller plan
targeting vaccine distribution. * Gold is considered a hedge against inflation, likely from
widespread stimulus.
* Janet Yellen won overwhelming Senate confirmation as the
first female U.S. Treasury secretary on Monday and will play a
key role in working with Congress on Biden's coronavirus
stimulus plans. * The U.S. Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting is
scheduled to begin later in the day. * Moderna Inc MRNA.O said on Monday it believes its
COVID-19 vaccine protects against new variants found in Britain
and South Africa, as global coronavirus cases rose to more than
99 million. * The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday delivered to
the Senate a charge accusing former President Donald Trump with
inciting insurrection in a speech to his supporters before the
deadly attack on the Capitol. * Silver XAG= was flat at $25.30 an ounce, platinum XPT=
lost 0.6% to $1,091.40, and palladium XPD= fell 0.3% to
$2,327.16.
DATA/EVENTS AHEAD (GMT)
0700 UK Claimant Count Unemployment Dec
0700 UK ILO Unemployment Rate Nov
1200 Brazil IPCA-15 Mid-Month CPI Jan
1500 U.S. Consumer Confidence Jan
1600 Russia Industrial Output Dec
-- U.S. U.S. Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market
Committee starts its two-day meeting on interest rates