Gold prices rose on Monday as worries over a surge in COVID-19 infections globally dented optimism about a swift economic rebound, driving investors toward the safe-haven metal. Spot gold was 0.1% higher at $1,772.30 per ounce by 0644 GMT. Prices were $6.76 shy of a near eight-year high of $1,779.06, hit last week. U.S. gold futures rose 0.3% to $1,786 per ounce. "Certainly the safe-haven buying is coming through fairly strong, with the fresh outbreak of coronavirus in the U.S., in particular, really driving that investor appetite at the moment," said ANZ analyst Daniel Hynes. California ordered some bars to close ... (full story)