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· Gold prices recovered from two-week lows on Tuesday to trade higher as doubts resurfaced about the progress of trade talks between China and the United States.

Spot gold rose 0.2% to $1,457.07 per ounce by 0658 GMT, but still held close to its lowest since Nov. 12 hit earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures were little changed at $1,456.90.

· Talks between the two countries have never materialised in the past, "so unless and until a deal is signed and sealed, we will see gold consolidate only in a smaller range", said Ajay Kedia, director at Kedia Advisory in Mumbai.

· On the technical front, the market is retracing after touching the two-week low, he added.

· Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, and U.S. Trade representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin held a phone call on issues related to a "phase one" agreement, however lack of clarity failed to boost investors' confidence for long.

Also, recent bills passed by the United States supporting anti-government protesters in Hong Kong remain a point of contention between Washington and Beijing.

· The dollar retreated slightly from a near two-week high, making gold cheaper for holders of other currencies.

· "There hasn't been much substantial detail other than they (U.S., China) are working very closely, and besides the U.S., other parts of the world are still showing slow economic growth, so gold will still be supported," Phillip Futures analyst Benjamin Lu said.

· Gold, considered a safe asset in times of political and economic uncertainty, has gained more than 13% this year, mainly due to the tariff dispute and its impact on global economic growth.

· U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Monday officials have a favourable outlook for the U.S. economy.

· However, weak global growth and trade uncertainty areholding back growth and they will "respond accordingly" if economic data leads to a "material reassessment" of their outlook, Powell said.

The central bank cut interest rates three times this year before deciding to pause. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost for holders of bullion, an asset that brings no interest.

Under investors' radar now is U.S. consumer confidence data due at 1500 GMT.

· Gold steady in Tokyo, licking wounds at key technical support on trade-deal sentiment

Spot gold is steady in Tokyo, unchanged on the day within a $1 range around 1453 at the time of writing. Markets are quiet and soaking up the record closing highs on Wall Street, as well as yesterday regional equity sentiment that was quite positive, led by Hong Kong’s 1.6% bounce, as investors cheer mergers as well as upbeat trade deal headlines.

Gold levels

The price is barricaded by the recent low, a 78.6% Fibonacci of the 12th Nov swing lows and recent highs and the 21-hour moving average to the upside. Upside targets are the 21st Nov lows that meet the 38.2% Fibonacci of the 20th Nov swing high to recent lows at 1463 which guards a run to the 21-DMA and the 61.8% Fibonacci of 1469. The 50-DMA is located at 1479 ad recent aforementioned swing highs. To the downside, the 200-DMA comes in at 1420 below 1445 12th Nov swing lows.