The S&P500 closed at its lowest point in 14 months yesterday as investors await the outcome of a mid-week US Federal Reserve FOMC meeting and interest rate decision.

The gold price was above US$1,248 an ounce on the spot market earlier, representing a gain of more than 2% over 30 days and it is down just 0.56% over a year.

Gold major Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM) closed up almost 1% in New York.

Miners were four of the five top risers on London's FTSE100 yesterday, with both Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO) and Antofagasta (LSE: ANTO) up more than 2.3%. The index was down amid angst over parliament's Brexit vote now being postponed to mid-January.

In Toronto, metals and mining stocks closed slightly lower overall but there were strong gains by gold stocks.

Pretium Resources (TSX: PVG) closed up 10.55%, C$1.05 higher, after receiving permitting approval on Friday to increase production at its Brucejack gold mine.

Australian gold miners occupied two of the top five gainers' positions on the benchmark S&P/ASX200 at the time of writing.

Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) was up about 3.8% and Australia and Papua New Guinea producer St Barbara (ASX: SBM) was up 3.4% in afternoon trade.