Gold edges higher as dollar dips, US Fed in focus

Gold rose slightly on Thursday after hitting a four-week low in the previous session, with the US dollar losing strength ahead of a speech by US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen that will be closely watched for clues on US interest rate policy.

Fundamentals

* Spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,326.22 an ounce at 0102 GMT. The metal touched a four-week low of $1,323.20 on Wednesday on a firm dollar.

* US gold was nearly flat at $1,328.70 an ounce.

* Yellen is scheduled to address a meeting of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at 1400 GMT on Friday. Recent hawkish comments from Fed policymakers have raised investors' expectations that she might adopt a less cautious tone on rates.

* The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was down 0.1% at 94.695.

* The dollar has swayed in both directions over the past week as expectations for a near-term Fed rate hike have ebbed and flowed.

* Rising US interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion and boost the dollar, in which gold is priced.

* US home resales fell more than expected in July after four straight months of strong gains, as a lack of inventory limited choice for buyers, but further price rises suggested the housing market remained on solid ground.

* China's silver imports fell 36% year-on-year in July, official customs data showed on Wednesday, while its platinum imports were 47% lower.

* Polymetal expects gold prices to stay stable in the second half of this year if macroeconomic fundamentals are steady, a senior company official said, adding Russia's gold and silver miner also planned to return to the elite FTSE 100 index.

* Mexican regulators said they are examining whether mining company Goldcorp Inc broke any regulations in its handling of a long-running leak of contaminated water at Mexico's biggest gold mine.

Market Report

* Asian stocks slipped on Thursday, taking their cue from an overnight drop on Wall Street. 

Data Ahead (GMT)

* 0800 Germany IFO business climate, current conditions August 1230 US Durable goods for July, 1230 US initial jobless claims 1345 US Markit Comp Flash PMI for August.