By Karen Rodrigues
BENGALURU (Reuters) - Gold prices were steady on Tuesday, after falling for three days, as investors opted for riskier assets amid increasing prospects of an interest rate hike in the United States following strong U.S. economic data.
Spot gold was little changed at $1,291.95 per ounce by 0429 GMT.
U.S. gold futures for August delivery were down 0.1 percent at $1,295.80 per ounce.
"There is lack of interest in gold. It is more interesting for equities and people are making profit there, so nobody wants to trade in gold for the time being," said Ronald Leung, chief dealer at Lee Cheong Gold Dealers in Hong Kong.
Wall Street's three major indexes rose on Monday, pushing the Nasdaq to a record closing high as investors bet on a continuation of strong economic growth.
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The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was up 0.1 percent at 94.080. The U.S. dollar rose to 109.99 yen, the highest since May 24.
"The recent strength in the U.S. dollar amid positive economic data has kept investor demand (for gold) subdued," ANZ said in a note.
The stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data released on Friday, fuelled expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates at its policy meeting starting on June 12.
Higher interest rates boost the dollar, making dollar-denominated gold more expensive for buyers using other currencies, and they reduce investor interest in non-yielding bullion.
"Gold prices are moving in a very tight range. The upside will be between $1,297-$1,298 as the market seems to be waiting for U.S. and North Korean leaders to meet and for the U.S. interest rates to go up, which is all happening next week," Leung added.
Spot gold is still targeting the May 21 low of $1,281.76 per ounce, as its bounce from this level has completed, according to Reuters' technical analyst, Wang Tao.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is preparing for a high-stakes summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12.
Meanwhile, concerns about global trade lingered following United States imposing metal tariffs on Mexico, Canada and the European Union last week.
"The tariff picture continues to remain quite unsettled, but somewhat surprisingly, is not causing much angst for the various markets... For now, we remain in a wait-and-see mode on gold, as investors mull which way to take the complex," INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir said in a note.
In other precious markets, silver rose 0.3 percent to $16.41 an ounce.
Platinum fell 0.3 percent at $898. It earlier hit a low of $893.45 an ounce, the lowest since May 22.
Palladium was 0.2 percent lower at $991.20 per ounce. The metal rose to a six-week high of $1,010.50 in the previous session.
(Reporting by Karen Rodrigues and Swati Verma in Bengaluru; Editing by Richard Pullin and Christian Schmollinger)
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