Gold hit a five-month peak on Thursdayas the U.S. dollar slid after President Donald Trump said hepreferred lower interest rates with the greenback "too strong",and amid rising tensions over U.S. relations with Russia andNorth Korea. FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,286.80 per ounceby 0100 GMT, after hitting its strongest since Nov.10 at1,287.31. * U.S. gold futures edged up 0.8 percent to$1,287.90. * The U.S. dollar took a heavy hit after President DonaldTrump told the Wall Street Journal the dollar "is getting toostrong" and that he would prefer the Federal Reserve to keepinterest rates low. * Meanwhile, tensions continued over the United States'relationship with Russia over Syria and in the Korean peninsula,while worries about the upcoming French presidential electionalso kept investors nervous. * Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday trusthad eroded between the United States and Russia under PresidentDonald Trump as Moscow delivered an unusually hostile receptionto Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a face-off over Syria. * In another possible setback to a thaw with Moscow, Trumpsaid on Wednesday that NATO is not obsolete, as he had declaredduring the election campaign last year. But he told a newsconference at the White House with NATO Secretary General JensStoltenberg that alliance members still need to pay their fairshare for the European security umbrella. * Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday stressed theneed for a peaceful solution for the Korean peninsula on a callwith U.S President Donald Trump. * U.S. import prices recorded their biggest drop in sevenmonths in March as the cost of petroleum declined, but theunderlying trend pointed to a moderate rise in importedinflation as the dollar's rally fades. * Barrick Gold , must take steps tosafeguard investor confidence by ensuring there are no moreoperating mishaps at its mines after a third incident in 18months at its big Argentina mine, analysts said. * Goldman Sachs on Wednesday maintained its near-term targetfor gold at $1,200 per ounce and 12-month target at $1,250 perounce. DATA AHEAD (GMT) 1230 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims weekly 1230 U.S. PPI Final Demand Mar 1400 U.S. U Mich Sentiment Prelim Apr 1430 U.S. ECRI Weekly index (Reporting by Nallur Sethuraman in BENGALURU; Editing byKenneth Maxwell)
Gold hit a five-month peak on Thursdayas the U.S. dollar slid after President Donald Trump said hepreferred lower interest rates with the greenback too strong and amid rising tensions over U.S. relations with Russia andNorth Korea FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,286.80 per ounceby 0100 GMT after hitting its strongest since Nov.10 at1 287 . 31 * U.S. gold futures edged up 0.8 percent to$1 287 . 90 * The U.S. dollar took a heavy hit after President DonaldTrump told the Wall Street Journal the dollar is getting toostrong and that he would prefer the Federal Reserve to keepinterest rates low * Meanwhile tensions continued over the United States'relationship with Russia over Syria and in the Korean peninsula while worries about the upcoming French presidential electionalso kept investors nervous * Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday trusthad eroded between the United States and Russia under PresidentDonald Trump as Moscow delivered an unusually hostile receptionto Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a face-off over Syria * In another possible setback to a thaw with Moscow Trumpsaid on Wednesday that NATO is not obsolete as he had declaredduring the election campaign last year But he told a newsconference at the White House with NATO Secretary General JensStoltenberg that alliance members still need to pay their fairshare for the European security umbrella * Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday stressed theneed for a peaceful solution for the Korean peninsula on a callwith U . S President Donald Trump * U.S. import prices recorded their biggest drop in sevenmonths in March as the cost of petroleum declined but theunderlying trend pointed to a moderate rise in importedinflation as the dollar's rally fades * Barrick Gold must take steps tosafeguard investor confidence by ensuring there are no moreoperating mishaps at its mines after a third incident in 18months at its big Argentina mine analysts said * Goldman Sachs on Wednesday maintained its near-term targetfor gold at $1,200 per ounce and 12-month target at $1,250 perounce DATA AHEAD GMT 1230 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims weekly 1230 U.S. PPI Final Demand Mar 1400 U.S. U Mich Sentiment Prelim Apr 1430 U.S. ECRI Weekly index Reporting by Nallur Sethuraman in BENGALURU Editing byKenneth Maxwell