Jan 27 (Reuters) - Gold prices were little changed on
Tuesday as rising concerns over the fast-spreading coronavirus
in China and its economic impact offset a firmer dollar.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= was unchanged at $1,581.09 per ounce by
0140 GMT. On Monday, prices rose to their highest since Jan. 8
at $1,586.42. U.S. gold futures GCv1 rose 0.2% to $1,580.90.
* China's death toll from the coronavirus rose to 106 by the
end of Jan. 27 and the total number of confirmed cases increased
to 4,515, the National Health Commission said. * The outbreak is expected to hurt the world's
second-largest economy, as Chinese authorities step up
preventive measures, impose travel restrictions and extend the
Lunar New Year holidays to limit the spread of the virus.
* Amid concerns of a wider outbreak, the United States and
Canada warned against travel to China. * Asian stocks extended a global selloff as investor fears
mounted over the virus outbreak. MKTS/GLOB
* Weighing on bullion, the dollar .DXY against a basket of
currencies hovered near a two-month high hit in the previous
session. USD/
* Investors look forward to the U.S. Federal Reserve's first
meeting of the year starting on Tuesday.
* Data on Monday showed sales of new U.S. single-family
homes fell unexpectedly in December. * Barrick Gold will start to ship gold worth up to $280
million from Tanzania, Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow said
on Monday, after the government lifted an export ban following
the resolution of a three-year tax dispute. * Holdings of the world's largest gold-backed
exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust GLD , fell 0.13% to
899.41 tonnes on Monday. GOL/ETF
* Palladium XPD= advanced 0.6% to $2,282.29 an ounce,
having declined to its lowest at $2,258.92 in the previous
session. Silver XAG= was flat at $18.09, while platinum XPT=
rose 0.5% to $988.31.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
1330 US Durable Goods Dec
1500 US Consumer Confidence Jan
U.S. Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee starts its
two-day meeting on interest rates