Wall Street was buoyant, with the S&P 500 making its strongest one-day gain since June, Reuters reported, as another COVID-19 vaccine received US approval and president Joe Biden's US$1.9 trillion relief package was passed by the house of representatives before heading to the senate.
The S&P 500 closed up 2.38% to 3,901.82.
Futures were up around the globe.
Gold has slumped to $1,723 an ounce on the spot market, having bobbed around the $1,800/oz mark last week.
Chinese official manufacturing PMI missed forecast in February and the Caixin manufacturing data also came in below estimates, but business expectations for both the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors rose from already-strong readings in January, Marex Spectron's Anna Stablum said.
Among the majors, Anglo American was a standout in London, up 4.53%.
Freeport-McMoRan rose 2.92% in New York, Barrick Gold gained 1.18% in Toronto and BHP was up 0.67% in midday Australian trade.
