Spot gold was flat at US$1,817.07 (about RM8,004.74) per ounce by 0339 GMT. Gold prices, set to drop for a third straight month, have fallen about 6.2% this quarter. The US dollar hovered near recent two-decade peaks, and could record its best quarter in over five years, making gold more expensive for buyers holding other currencies. Higher bond yields and interest rate hikes by central banks to fight inflation raise the opportunity cost of holding bullion, which yields no interest. Spot silver was up 0.1% at US$20.72 per ounce, platinum was flat at US$916.66 and palladium gained 1.2% to US$1,986.21.
