* Dollar index up 0.6%
* ECB policy decision due on Thursday
* Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus: open https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser (Updates prices)
By Diptendu Lahiri
Sept 8 (Reuters) - Gold prices fell 1% on Tuesday as a strong dollar outweighed lingering economic concerns and investors awaited policy cues from the European Central Bank.
Spot gold XAU= was down 0.5% at $1,918.79 per ounce by 1203 GMT, after falling as much as 1% to $1,907.61. U.S. gold futures GCv1 fell 0.7% to $1,919.90 per ounce.
If the U.S. Federal Reserve does not announce any fresh fiscal push while the ECB announces some stimulus package, "in dollar terms, gold will face some headwinds," said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam.
The dollar .DXY strengthened against its rivals, making gold more expensive for holders of other currencies, amid bets that policy signals from the ECB on Thursday could weigh on the euro. USD/
Market players also awaited the policy meeting of the Bank of Canada on Wednesday, while the U.S. Fed's next meeting is scheduled for next week.
Global central banks have saturated markets with extraordinary liquidity steps to offset the economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus, sending gold 26% higher this year as it is considered a shield against inflation and currency debasement. expectations have come down a bit and with that real yields move higher, and that's also having a small negative impact on gold," said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.
"So far, the selling we've seen is mostly light profit taking, (and) the overriding gold supportive theme has not gone away, that also means we don't expect a deep correction as such."
Also on investors' radar, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday again raised the idea of decoupling the U.S. economy from China. silver XAG= fell nearly 2% to $26.47 per ounce and platinum XPT= was down 1.1%, to $898.20, while palladium XPD= dipped 0.5% to $2,285.29.
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