Gold near 3 1/2 month high on bets Fed to delay rate hike

Gold held near a 3-1/2-month high on Thursday as sluggish economic data from China and the United States stoked speculation the Federal Reserve will not raise rates this year.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold was little changed at USD 1,185 an ounce by 0022 GMT following a four-day rally. The metal climbed to USD 1,190 on Tuesday, its highest since June 22.

* Data on Wednesday showed US retail sales barely rose in September and producer prices recorded their biggest decline in eight months, indicating the economy was losing momentum amid slowing global growth.

* Earlier in the day, China data showed consumer inflation cooled more than expected in September while producer prices extended their slide to a 43rd straight month, adding to concerns about deflationary pressures in the world's second-largest economy.

* Investors believe the weakening backdrop in the US and elsewhere may cause Fed policymakers to delay the first rate increase in nearly a decade, earlier expected late in 2015.

* Gold is a non-yielding asset and tends to benefit from ultra-low rates.

* It also benefited as the dollar on Wednesday slumped to its lowest since late August against a basket of major currencies. A weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for holders of other currencies.

* Elsewhere, Elliott Management Chief Executive Paul Singer said on Wednesday every institutional portfolio should be 5-10 percent invested in gold to protect against zero interest rates that are degrading the value of paper currency.

* Among other precious metals, silver hit a 3-1/2-month high of USD 16.18 an ounce on Thursday before easing slightly. Platinum climbed to a five-week high of USD 999, before giving up gains to trade down 0.2 percent. Palladium edged up.MARKET NEWS

* Global equity markets slid for a second day on Wednesday on expectations the Fed will not raise interest rates until next year.