Dollar Held Losses on Stimulus Bets Before Yellen Speaks Today

---

The dollar held losses against most of its 16 major peers from yesterday on prospects Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will underscore expectations that the central bank will maintain stimulatory policies.

The greenback touched the lowest in almost a week versus the yen, after 10-year Treasury yields fell to the least in six months yesterday, dimming the allure of U.S. assets. Yellen told Congress last week the economy needs support. A report showed Japan��s gross domestic product expanded at the fastest pace in 2 1/2 years, damping bets for additional Bank of Japan easing. The euro remained higher versus the pound before figures that may indicate growth accelerated in the 18-nation region.

The dollar was little changed at 101.88 yen as of 6:55 a.m. in London, after touching 101.66, the lowest level since May 9. It traded at $1.3716 per euro from $1.3715. Europe��s shared currency bought 139.74 yen from 139.75 in New York. It traded at 81.78 pence after climbing 0.4 percent to 81.79 yesterday.

The yield on U.S. government debt due in a decade fell to as low as 2.52 percent yesterday, a level unseen since Oct. 31.

Source : Bloomberg

Golds Below One Week High as U.S. Outlook Weighed Against Ukraine

---

Gold traded below a one-week high in New York as investors weighed tension in Ukraine against the outlook for a strengthening U.S. economy. Palladium was near the highest price since August 2011.

The dollar reached the highest level since February versus the euro before Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen addresses the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today. The New York Fed may say today its gauge of manufacturing in the state rose to 6 this month from 1.3 in April, economists surveyed by Bloomberg News said.

Gold rebounded this year from its biggest annual drop since 1981, partly as the Ukraine crisis spurred demand for a haven. Ukraine pushed on with an operation to dislodge separatists less than a day after Russia warned the violence could make it impossible to hold legitimate elections. Palladium gained 15 percent this year on concern supply may be disrupted from South Africa and Russia, the largest producers.

Gold for June delivery was little changed at $1,305.20 an ounce by 7:43 a.m. on the Comex in New York. It touched $1,309.20 yesterday, the highest since May 7. Futures volume was 22 percent below the average for the past 100 days for this time of day, data compiled by Bloomberg showed. Bullion for immediate delivery lost 0.1 percent to $1,305.10 in London, according to Bloomberg generic pricing.

Gold Held Above One-Week High as Ukraine Supports Haven Buying

---

Gold held above a one-week high as investors weighed the conflict in Ukraine against the outlook for the U.S. economy and further reductions in stimulus. Palladium dropped from the highest level since August 2011.

Bullion for immediate delivery traded at $1,303.66 an ounce at 1:55 p.m. in Singapore from $1,305.97 yesterday, when prices climbed to $1,309.09, the highest since May 7, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. Palladium lost 0.6 percent to $823.13 after reaching $829.25 yesterday on concern supplies may be disrupted from Russia and South Africa, the largest producers.

Gold has advanced 8.5 percent this year partly on tension between Ukraine and Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine is sliding into a civil war that may invalidate elections, as Ukrainian leaders and their international allies blamed Russia for the violence. Bullion has rebounded from last year��s 28 percent drop even as the Federal Reserve started to trim stimulus as the U.S. economy recovers.

Gold for June delivery traded at $1,303.50 an ounce on the Comex in New York from $1,305.90 yesterday. Fed Chair Janet Yellen is due to address the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today after saying last week that the economy needs support.

Platinum for immediate delivery fell 0.5 percent to $1,474.50 an ounce after advancing to $1,486 yesterday, the highest since March 7. Lonmin Plc will keep its platinum mines in South Africa open for a second day in an effort to break a 16-week strike even after many workers were prevented from reporting for duty yesterday.

Silver retreated 0.3 percent to $19.7251 an ounce.

Source : Bloomberg

Gold Below One-Week High as U.S. Outlook Weighed Against Ukraine

---

Gold traded below a one-week high in London as investors weighed the outlook for a strengthening U.S. economy against tension in Ukraine. Palladium was near the highest price since August 2011.

The dollar reached the highest level since February versus the euro before Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen addresses the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today. The New York Fed may say today its gauge of manufacturing in the state rose to 6 this month from 1.3 in April, economists surveyed by Bloomberg News said.

Gold rebounded this year from its biggest annual drop since 1981, partly as the Ukraine crisis spurred demand for a haven. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine is sliding into a civil war that will make it impossible to hold legitimate elections, as Ukrainian leaders and their international allies blamed Russia for the violence. Palladium gained 15 percent this year on concern supply may be disrupted from South Africa and Russia, the largest producers.

Bullion for immediate delivery was little changed at $1,304.77 an ounce by 9:20 a.m. in London, according to Bloomberg generic pricing. It touched $1,309.09 yesterday, the highest since May 7. Gold for June delivery was little changed at $1,305 on the Comex in New York. Futures trading volume was 10 percent below the average for the past 100 days for this time of day, data compiled by Bloomberg showed.

Source : Bloomberg