Feb 14 (Reuters) - Gold prices held steady near a one-week
high on Friday, as a mounting coronavirus death toll supported
safe-haven buying, while a stronger dollar kept a lid on gains.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= was little changed at $1,576.76 per
ounce, as of 0114 GMT. In the previous session, the metal hit
$1,577.81, its highest in more than a week.
* Bullion is set to gain 0.4% for the week.
* U.S. gold futures GCv1 remained unchanged at $1,578.80.
* The Chinese province at the centre of the coronavirus
outbreak reported a record rise in deaths and thousands more
infections using a broader definition on Thursday. * Global shares eased as investors were spooked by a sharp
rise in the number of coronavirus cases in China this week while
oil prices extended gains on hopes of more production cuts.
MKTS/GLOB
* The Japanese yen held on to gains against the dollar as
renewed worries about the outbreak supported demand for
safe-haven currencies. USD/
* However, the dollar rose above a four-month peak.
* The coronavirus-hit Chinese economy will grow at its
slowest rate since the financial crisis in the current quarter,
according to a Reuters poll of economists who said the downturn
will be short-lived if the outbreak is contained. * Investors were spooked after the head of the Revolutionary
Guards said that Iran was ready to strike the United States and
Israel if they give it any reason to do so. * The risk-averse sentiment in the market supported bullion,
often seen as an alternative investment during times of
political and financial uncertainty.
* Meanwhile, U.S. prosecutors accused Huawei of stealing
trade secrets and helping Iran track protesters in its latest
indictment against the Chinese company. * Egypt has approved a mining licence for Aton Resources Inc
AAN.V , the Canada-based gold miner said on Thursday, the first
such award since the country's main gold producer Centamin
CEY.L secured a licence more than a decade ago. * Palladium XPD= was little changed at $2,423.89 an ounce,
silver XAG= rose 0.2% to $17.67, and platinum XPT= was
trading flat at $967.75.
DATA/EVENTS AHEAD (GMT)
1100 EU GDP Flash Estimate QQ, YY Q4
1330 US Retail Sales MM Jan
1415 US Industrial Production MM Jan
1500 US U Mich Sentiment Prelim Feb