PRECIOUS-Gold rebounds after stock market rout lifts safe-haven demand

* Global equity markets and oil prices tumble
* ECB policy decision due on Thursday
* Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus:
open
https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser

(Updates prices)
By Sumita Layek
Sept 8 (Reuters) - Gold prices rebounded from a near
two-week low hit earlier on Tuesday, after a sell-off in stock
markets prompted investors to seek refuge in the safe haven
metal.
Spot gold XAU= rose 0.4% to $1,936.87 per ounce by 2:29
p.m. EDT (1829 GMT) after falling as much as 1.2% to $1,906.24.
U.S. gold futures GCv1 settled up 0.5% at $1,943.20.
"We saw a bounce off the lows in gold after a sharp drop in
U.S. equities sparked some safe haven buying. People are
confused, they don't know where the bottom is at in the equity
markets right now," said Phillip Streible, chief market
strategist at Blue Line Futures in Chicago.
Global equity markets and oil prices tumbled after a sharp
sell-off in technology stocks, Brexit uncertainty and on
concerns over flare-ups in coronavirus cases.
MKTS/GLOB .N O/R
Gold's gains came despite a stronger dollar .DXY , which
rose 0.7% against rivals. USD/
Investors are now awaiting an ECB policy meeting due on
Thursday, while the U.S. Federal Reserve's next meeting is
scheduled for next week.
"All the central banks are in the same boat. They will have
to keep printing money, keep easing policy, in order to fight
the slump we are in" and that will keep gold supported, said
Edward Meir, an analyst at ED&F Man Capital Markets.
Bullion has risen over 27% so far this year, after central
banks globally flooded markets with extraordinary stimulus to
offset the economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus
pandemic, as it is considered a hedge against inflation and
currency debasement. "Gold has been trapped in a really tight trading range. If
we can break out over $1,960, it might rekindle some life back
into bulls," Streible said.
Elsewhere, silver XAG= fell 0.8% to $26.78 per ounce and
platinum XPT= was up 0.5% to $903.33, while palladium XPD=
dipped 0.6% to $2,280.97.