Gold falls

LONDON. — Gold fell yesterday as a dollar bounce on US growth data pulled prices further from the previous day’s near six-week peak, although softer equities markets kept it underpinned.

The dollar rose 0,4 percent against the euro after sliding to its lowest since mid-February on Tuesday, touching session highs after data showing US economic growth slowed less than previously estimated in the fourth quarter. Spot gold was down 0,8 percent at $1,333.44 an ounce at 1435 GMT, while US gold futures for April delivery were down 0,7 percent at $1,337.90 an ounce.

“Despite the fact that the equity markets are near a cliff, we have not seen much interest amidst retail investors for gold and the strength of the dollar index is also weighing on the price,” Think Markets chief market analyst Naeem Aslam said.

“However, given the geopolitical uncertainties we have, we do think that the path of least resistance is skewed to the upside.”

Spot gold touched its highest since mid-February on Tuesday before ending down 0.6 percent, its biggest one-day loss in two weeks. Gold is set to close the first quarter up 3 percent.

Stocks softened again on Wednesday as persistent jitters about a US-China trade war and the prospect of a regulatory crackdown on companies such as Facebook left investors facing their first quarterly drop in stocks in two years.