Gold prices rose further on Thursday, supported by a weaker dollar and as investors bought the yellow metal as a hedge against inflation after a faster-than-expected rise in US consumer prices last month.

Spot gold was up 0.3 per cent at $1,354.55 an ounce, as of 0407 GMT and headed for a fourth straight session of gains. It hit its highest since January 26 at $1,355.50 on Wednesday, and has gained nearly 4 per cent since it dropped to a one-month low last week. US gold futures were down 0.1 per cent at $1,357.2 per ounce on Thursday.

“Higher US inflation combined with the US dollar exhibiting zero correlation to higher interest rates amidst burdening duel deficits (trade and budget) should play out favourably for gold markets,” said Stephen Innes, head of trading APAC at OANDA said.

The dollar index against a basket of currencies was down 0.3 per cent at 88.898, after earlier hitting a nearly two-week low of 88.840. A recovery in broader risk sentiment was also seen weighing on the dollar, which had gained during the market turmoil earlier this month.

The US currency has been hit by a variety of setbacks this year, including from prospects Washington might pursue a weak dollar strategy to the perceived erosion of its yield advantage as other countries part with easier monetary policy.

US fiscal deficit

Concerns about the growing US fiscal deficit have also weighed on the greenback. The US Labour Department said its Consumer Price Index increased 0.5 per cent in January as households paid more for gasoline, rental accommodation and healthcare, raising pressure on new Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell to prevent a possible overheating of the economy.

Inflation fears boost gold, which is seen as a safe haven against rising prices. But expectations that the Fed will raise interest rates to fight inflation make gold less attractive since it is not interest-yielding.

“Gold's technicals have improved dramatically in light of Wednesday’s surge and could draw further fund buying,” said INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir.

Spot gold is expected to break a resistance at $1,357 per ounce and rise to the next resistance at $1,372, driven by a wave C, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

Among other precious metals, silver was up 0.2 per cent at $16.91 an ounce after earlier hitting a more than one-week high of $16.94. Palladium was 0.7 per cent higher at $1,007.75, after earlier hitting a one-week top of $1,009.30. Platinum was up 0.2 per cent at $998.74, after earlier hitting $1,002.40, its highest in nearly two weeks.

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