Gold edged higher as equity markets fell in the wake of the terror attacks in Brussels this morning.
Latest reports were that 31 people had been killed and scores more injured in the bombings of the airport departure lounge at Brussels airport and a metro station.
Gold is traditionally seen as a haven after terrible events and money shifting in to the metal outweighed hawkish comments from Dennis Lockhart, the head of the Atlanta Fed, that US interest rates may rise again next month.
There was more evidence, meanwhile, that consumer demand in China and India, the two largest markets is very depressed at the moment.
Switzerland's gold exports fell to an 18-month low in February with shipments to India, China and Hong Kong all well down on the previous month.
At least, the strike by Indian jewellers is over. It started with the sales tax on jewellery announced in the Budget. The industry has a 60 days window to find a solution and this may see some recovery in gold demand from India.
Spot gold was US$8 higher at US$1,251 a couple of hours into US trading. Silver had added a few cents at US$15.85 while platinum rose US$15 to US$994.
Unexpected good news
It was quiet day for news from the junior gold lines.
KEFI Minerals PLC (LON:KEFI) is raising £1.75mln through a placing of shares at 0.35p each to some big names in mining finance.
The raise comes ahead of a full project finance package for the company’s Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia, which is currently in the works and expected to be finalised within the next few months.
ISDX-listed NQ Minerals was also in good heart as it reported some unexpected and commercial grade gold in assays from its Ukalanda deposit in Queensland.
Major share price moves
Randgold Resources up 1.7% at 6,545p
Fresnillo up 1.4% to 994p
Anglo American flat at 550p
KEFI Minerals down 5% to 0.338p