Gold rises past $1,650, dollar off three-year high

Gold futures titled higher in Asian trade as the dollar index fell from April 2017 highs, ahead of US labor, GDP data and speeches by Fed officials today, while investors assess the global spread of the coronavirus. 

As of 04:09 GMT, gold futures due in April rose 0.57% to $1,652 an ounce, while the dollar index shed 0.05% to 98.97. 

From the US, GDP is expected up 2.1% in the fourth quarter, while GDP prices are estimated up 1.4%, same as before. 

Durable goods orders fell 1.5% In January, while core orders rose 0.2%. 

Unemployment claims for the week ending February 15 are expected up a thousand to 211 thousand, while existing home sales are estimated up 2.8%. 

US authorities said they identified a coronavirus victim who hasn't traveled to China or made contact with any other victim, sparking further concerns.  

South Korea's central bank maintained rates with no change, subverting expectations of a rate cut as cases there surged to 1,500. 

The World Health Organization said the coronavirus is still containable, adding the death toll hasn't surged out of control yet and it's still too early to call it a global epidemic.