Gold prices jumped on Friday, to rise again above the $1,800 barrier, while on track for the second straight daily gain, due to strong safe-haven demand, after a new coronavirus variant emerged, which the scientists call Botswana.

Gold prices rose 1.1% to $1,809.02 an ounce, after opening at $1,789.08, and hit a low at $1,789.08.

Gold gained less than 0.1% yesterday, the first gain in 6 days, within recovery from a 3-week low of $1,778.45 an ounce.

Scientists confirmed that the variant may lead to further spreading of the coronavirus, according to the Independent newspaper.

Scientists said that the new variant has 32 mutations in the spike protein, which would help it escape more easily from the human immune system and spread quickly.

Gold stocks at the SPDR ETF remained unchanged on yesterday, with the total at the highest level since September 24 of 991.11 metric tonnes.

The US dollar fell against a basket of currencies on Friday, deepening losses for the second straight day, and pulled back further from a 16-month peak due to profit-taking and after the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant that renewed concerns over global economies closing.

The dollar index fell 0.6% to 96.20 points, after opening at 96.72 points, and hit a high at 96.77 points.

The index fell 0.1% yesterday, the first daily loss in 5 days, due to profit-taking from a 16-month peak of 96.94 points.

Scientists confirmed that the variant may lead to further spreading of the coronavirus, according to the Independent newspaper.

Scientists said that the new variant has 32 mutations in the spike protein, which would help it escape more easily from the human immune system and spread quickly.

These negative news renewed concerns over global economies closing, which threatens any improvements in economic activities in the recent period, which will might force central banks to delay any plans to tighten monetary policies.

Oil prices slumped 7% on Friday, deepening losses for the third day in a row and hit a 2-month low, due to global demand fears after a new coronavirus variant emerged, which the scientists call Botswana.

US crude fell 7% to the lowest since September 23 at $72.63 a barrel, after opening at $78.08, and hit a high at $78.15, and Brent crude fell more than 6.1% to the lowest since September 30 at $77.27a barrel, after opening at $82.23, and hit a high at $82.25.

US crude lost 0.4% yesterday, posting its second straight daily loss due to fears over the US oversupply, and Brent crude edged higher by 0.1%.

The UK warned from the spread of a new variant that was first discovered in Botswana, and scientists confirmed that it contains a high number of mutations.

Scientists confirmed that the variant may lead to further spreading of the coronavirus, according to the Independent newspaper.

Scientists said that the new variant has 32 mutations in the spike protein, which would help it escape more easily from the human immune system and spread quickly.

These negative news come at a time when Europe is facing the spread of the fourth wave of the pandemic, with some countries, such as Austria, re-imposing a full lockdown again.

European stocks fell fell more than 3.5% on Friday, and hit a 6-week low, amid a broad sell-off wave due to fears over a coronavirus variant, the scientists call Botswana.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index fell more than 3.5% as of 08:32 GMT, and hit the lowest since October 14, after it closed higher by 0.4% yesterday.

The traveling sector saw the largest loss in Europe today, with a drop of over 5%, as most of the sector companies slumped, following the negative news about the coronavirus variant.

The UK warned from the spread of a new variant that was first discovered in Botswana, and scientists confirmed that it contains a high number of mutations.

Scientists confirmed that the variant may lead to further spreading of the coronavirus, according to the Independent newspaper.

Scientists said that the new variant has 32 mutations in the spike protein, which would help it escape more easily from the human immune system and spread quickly.

These negative news come at a time when Europe is facing the spread of the fourth wave of the pandemic, with some countries, such as Austria, re-imposing a full lockdown again.

S&P 500 futures fell 2.5% today and hit a 3-week low ahead of Wall Street's opening.

Back to Europe, the Euro Stoxx 50 index fell 4.5%, France's CAC 40 fell 4.8%, and Germany's DAX index fell 4%, while the UK's FTSE 100 fell 3.5%.