Gold steadies

Reuters

Bengaluru

Gold prices held steady on Friday amid a firmer dollar as markets waited to see if U.S. President Donald Trump will face hurdles on his economic agenda after U.S. lawmakers delayed a vote on a healthcare bill.

Spot gold was down 0.1 percent at $1,243.60 per ounce by 0058 GMT. On Thursday, it touched its strongest since Feb. 28 at $1,253.12.

U.S. gold futures were down 0.3 percent at $1,243.80. Palladium climbed to a peak of $808.70 in the prior session, its highest since March 2015. U.S. President Donald Trump will get a second chance to try to close the deal with Republican lawmakers on dismantling Obamacare in a high-stakes vote on a new healthcare bill rescheduled for Friday.

A rough ride for the healthcare plan could affect Trump´s efforts to cut taxes and boost infrastructure, with the potential to drive more investors to gold as a safe haven if stock markets fall, analysts and traders said.