Gold prices scaled a new all-time peak on Friday and were set for its ninth straight weekly gain, as demand was boosted by a softer dollar, falling U.S. Treasury yields and worries over the global economic fallout from rising COVID-19 cases.
Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,068.32 U.S. per ounce, having hit a record high of $2,072.50 in early Asian trade. Bullion is up more than 4.7% so far this week.
U.S. gold futures rose 0.5% to $2,078.70 U.S.
The dollar index held close to a more than two-year low and was heading for its seventh consecutive weekly decline. A weaker greenback makes gold less expensive for holders of other currencies.
Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields fell to their lowest levels in five months, reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing gold.
Coronavirus cases continue to surge in the United States and stood at more than 18.94 million globally.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the U.S. economy needs an "additional boost" to cope with the fallout from the pandemic, as Republicans and Democrats remained far apart about what to include in another wave of coronavirus stimulus.
Silver jumped 2.6% to $29.68 U.S. per ounce, while platinum dropped 0.9% to $988.76 and palladium climbed 0.5% to $2,232.40 U.S.
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