Gold poised for best week in over 3 months on soft dollar, stimulus bets

Gold was headed on Friday for its biggest weekly gain in more than three months as it steadied near a nine-year high, benefiting from a weak dollar and inflation expectations due to stimulus for virus-battered economies.

Silver eyed its best week since 1987, with additional impetus coming from bets for a revival in industrial activity.

Spot gold was little changed at $1,885.32 per ounce by 0559 GMT, having hit its highest since September 2011 at $1,897.16 on Thursday.

Prices have risen more than 4% this week, putting gold on course for its longest winning streak since late 2011.

"The basic logic has to do with the introduction of further fiscal stimulus... in the European Union, and we're talking again about further fiscal stimulus in the United States," said DailyFx currency strategist Ilya Spivak.

"Interest rates are not really expected to go higher, and the likely response is seen as inflation."

Gold tends to benefit from widespread stimulus measures from central banks as it is perceived as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement.

The dollar index held near a two-year low with investors also awaiting Beijing's response to the US move to close its Houston consulate this week. The tensions also prompted investors to seek safety in bullion.

US gold futures eased 0.3% to $1,884.

Low physical demand has been forcing dealers in India and China to offer hefty discounts.

Spot gold may retest a support at $1,880 per ounce, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said.

Silver, which fell 1% to $22.51 per ounce, was up nearly 17% for the week.

"Silver shares some 'safe haven' attributes with gold but is inherently more leveraged to global growth and manufacturing recovery... The rebound in global PMIs, particularly in China, is also supportive for silver," Citi analysts said in a note.

Platinum dropped 0.5% to $901.14 and palladium gained 0.5% to $2,136.67.