Investing.com-- Gold prices rose in Asian trade on Tuesday, extending recent gains as heightened geopolitical tensions in Syria and a selloff on Wall Street fueled safe haven demand for the yellow metal.

Among industrial metals, copper prices steadied on Tuesday after clocking sharp gains on promises of more stimulus measures from top importer China. But they were still nursing steep losses in the past two months. 

Further gains in metal markets were quashed by anticipation of more key economic cues in the coming days, with the U.S. dollar steady ahead of key inflation data due on Wednesday. 

Spot gold rose 0.4% to $2,671.62 an ounce, while gold futures expiring in February rose 0.3% to $2,694.69 an ounce by 23:30 ET (04:30 GMT). 

Gold demand underpinned by geopolitical tensions 

Spot gold surged about 1% on Monday after heightened tensions in the Middle East sent traders into safe havens.

Rebel forces took Syria’s capital Damascus over the weekend, ending the reign of President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia.

Syria’s regime change has ties to the Sunni Islamic sect, potentially putting the country at odds with Iran. Israel was also seen launching an offensive against Syria. 

Syria’s situation put investors on edge over a potential escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, pushing them into traditional safe havens such as gold.

This trend was furthered by overnight losses on Wall Street, as major technology stocks pulled back sharply from a recent rally. 

Anticipation of several key economic cues in the coming days are expected to keep investors on edge. Central banks in Canada, the European Union and Switzerland will decide on interest rates this week, followed by the Federal Reserve next week. 

Other precious metals were less upbeat than gold. Platinum futures fell 0.4% to $944.85 an ounce, while silver futures steadied at $32.620 an ounce.

Copper steadies from stimulus-driven rally; China import data positive

Benchmark copper futures on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.3% to $9,211.0 a ton, while February copper futures fell 0.2% to $4.2542 a pound. 

Both contracts rallied 1.5% on Monday after China’s top political body pledged to loosen monetary policy and dole out more targeted stimulus measures. The pledges ramped up hopes that economic growth in China will improve, in turn boosting its appetite for commodities. 

Chinese trade data also offered some positive cues. While overall exports and imports read weaker than expected for November, China’s copper imports raced to a one-month high.

Focus this week is now on China’s Central Economic Work Conference, which is set to begin on Wednesday.