Gold prices were headed for their third consecutive weekly gain on worries about rising global cases of the novel coronavirus, although prices see-sawed on Friday after a firm dollar and a gain in equities countered safe-haven demand.

Share Market Live

NSE

Spot gold was steady at USD 1,760.73 per ounce as of 0339 GMT. The bullion has risen more than 1 percent so far this week, with prices scaling a near eight-year high of USD 1,779.06 on Wednesday. US gold futures rose 0.2 percent to USD 1,770.90.

"The amount of money pumped in by governments definitely supports gold as a safe haven with this COVID-19 situation still around," said Brian Lan, managing director at Singapore dealer GoldSilver Central, amid low interest rates globally.

But gold is seeing some profit-taking after almost reaching the USD 1,780 mark due to the overall strength of the dollar and stocks, Lan added.

The dollar has pared a large part of this week's losses.

Asian stock markets ground higher, but are set to end the week little changed as surging COVID-19 infections offset encouraging economic data.

Cases have been rising across the United States, while over 9.51 million people have been infected globally, according to a Reuters tally.

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said second-round effects of the pandemic could hurt its economy "considerably", signalling the bank's readiness to ramp up stimulus again.

Lower interest rates and stimulus measures tend to benefit gold, viewed as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement.

"Given the macro backdrop, sentiment in the gold market is positive, and this is illustrated in the continual increase in exchange-traded fund holdings," said ING analyst Warren Patterson.

Holdings of the SPDR Gold Trust ETF stood at more than seven-year highs.

Palladium gained 0.3 percent to USD 1,847.05 per ounce, but was heading for its worst week since May 1.

Platinum was flat at USD 803.52. Silver fell 0.9 percent to USD 17.71.