Bullion counters were mixed in the domestic market on Tuesday amid rapidly spreading coronavirus scare that has already infected at least three people in India. Positive manufacturing data from US put pressure on precious metals.

The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in China rose to 425 as of the end of Monday, up by 64 from the previous day, the country's National Health Commission said.

Gold futures were down 0.18 per cent to 40,672 per 10 grams, while silver futures jumped 0.25 per cent to Rs 46,007 per kg.

Globally, gold prices eased as the dollar held firm after a key US manufacturing survey showed a surprise rebound, although rising concerns about a widening coronavirus outbreak in China and its economic fallout provided some support to the metal.

Spot gold was down 0.1 per cent to $1,575.27 per ounce by 0156 GMT, after a 0.9 per cent drop in the previous session. US gold futures fell 0.2 per cent to $1,579.50.



A Reuters technical analyst said spot gold may look neutral in a range of $1,573-$1,582 per ounce, and an escape could suggest a direction.

The range is formed by the 50 per cent and 61.8 per cent retracement of the uptrend from $1,535.63 to $1,610.93. A break above $1,582 could confirm the extension of the uptrend towards $1,593.

Palladium rose 0.5 per cent to $2,331.19 an ounce, silver was flat at $17.66, and platinum edged higher by 0.1 per cent to $967.01.