US gold futures December delivery settled up $3.10, or 0.3 percent, at $1,204.40 per ounce. Liquidity was thin during Asian trading hours on Monday as markets in Japan and China were closed for a holiday. The dollar index fell after comments by ECB President Mario Draghi on wage growth and vigorous inflation lifted the euro. The greenback later pared losses.
"I remain constructive on gold after we've seen it consolidate for the past month. The risk to the dollar is some additional weakness, but at this stage we have to maintain a neutral stance," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank in Copenhagen. Investors await details from the Federal Reserve meeting concluding on Wednesday, when the US central bank is expected to raise benchmark interest rates and shed light on the path for future rate hikes.
"Realistically, it could be a muted move, because the rate increase is already priced in," said George Gero, vice president of RBC Capital Markets. Gold has fallen more than 12 percent since its April peak against a backdrop of trade disputes and rising US interest rates. The United States and China imposed fresh tariffs on each other's goods as the world's biggest economies showed no signs of backing down from a trade dispute that is expected to knock global economic growth. Meanwhile, speculators increased their net short position in COMEX gold contracts in the week to Sept. 18, US data showed on Friday.
"The price would rise noticeably if sentiment were to turn and short positions were to be covered. This may happen following the Fed rate hike expected on Wednesday, as gold has often gained following a Fed rate hike in the past," Commerzbank said in a note.
Spot palladium gained 0.9 percent at $1,058.72 an ounce after hitting $1,060.70, its highest since Feb. 27. Platinum added 0.3 percent at $829.10 per ounce. Silver rose 0.3 percent at $14.29 an ounce.