<p>Gold inched lower on Thursday, as the dollar remained strong and investors looked past economic threats from rising cases of the Delta coronavirus variant and opted for riskier assets instead.</p>.<p><strong>FUNDAMENTALS</strong></p>.<p>* Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,801.82 per ounce, as of 0040 GMT, after hitting a more than one-week low of $1,793.59 in the previous session.</p>.<p>* US gold futures eased 0.1% at $1,801.90 per ounce.</p>.<p>* The dollar index held close to a 3-1/2-month peak against its rival, making gold more expensive for holders of other currencies.</p>.<p>* Markets added to gains on Wednesday and yields climbed due partly to positive corporate earnings, as investors largely overlooked apprehension about the Delta coronavirus variant and inflation.</p>.<p>* The yield on 10-year Treasury notes continued their bounce from five-month lows following a weak 20-year bond auction. Higher bond yields increase the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing gold.</p>.<p>* The European Central Bank is all but certain to promise an even longer period of stimulus on Thursday to make good on its commitment to boost inflation.</p>.<p>* US President Joe Biden said the current uptick in consumer prices will be short-lived as the US economy emerges from the global Covid-19 crisis, adding that his economic plan will reduce inflation over the long term.</p>.<p>* US Senate Republicans blocked a move to open debate on Wednesday on a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure measure that is a top priority for President Biden.</p>.<p>* Silver was steady at $25.23 per ounce, palladium rose 0.3% to $2,661.17, and platinum was flat at $1,079.99.</p>
<p>Gold inched lower on Thursday, as the dollar remained strong and investors looked past economic threats from rising cases of the Delta coronavirus variant and opted for riskier assets instead.</p>.<p><strong>FUNDAMENTALS</strong></p>.<p>* Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,801.82 per ounce, as of 0040 GMT, after hitting a more than one-week low of $1,793.59 in the previous session.</p>.<p>* US gold futures eased 0.1% at $1,801.90 per ounce.</p>.<p>* The dollar index held close to a 3-1/2-month peak against its rival, making gold more expensive for holders of other currencies.</p>.<p>* Markets added to gains on Wednesday and yields climbed due partly to positive corporate earnings, as investors largely overlooked apprehension about the Delta coronavirus variant and inflation.</p>.<p>* The yield on 10-year Treasury notes continued their bounce from five-month lows following a weak 20-year bond auction. Higher bond yields increase the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing gold.</p>.<p>* The European Central Bank is all but certain to promise an even longer period of stimulus on Thursday to make good on its commitment to boost inflation.</p>.<p>* US President Joe Biden said the current uptick in consumer prices will be short-lived as the US economy emerges from the global Covid-19 crisis, adding that his economic plan will reduce inflation over the long term.</p>.<p>* US Senate Republicans blocked a move to open debate on Wednesday on a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure measure that is a top priority for President Biden.</p>.<p>* Silver was steady at $25.23 per ounce, palladium rose 0.3% to $2,661.17, and platinum was flat at $1,079.99.</p>