Gold retreated to a one-week low on Thursday as encouraging developments relating to COVID-19 vaccines have raised hopes of a more rapid recovery in the global economy, even as new coronavirus cases continued to rise.

Spot gold fell 0.6% to $1,859.38 per ounce by 1113 GMT, having earlier hit its lowest since Nov. 9 at $1,854.60.

U.S. gold futures slipped 0.9% to $1,857.60.

"Post the U.S. election, there is confidence in the global economy and gold's safe-haven appeal has been easing. Secondly, pandemic-related uncertainty is going to be decreasing because we're all hoping for the vaccine in the market soon," said Hareesh V, head of commodity research at Geojit Financial Services.

COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc could be ready for U.S. authorisation within weeks, setting the stage for inoculation to begin as soon as this year, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Wednesday. 

Also weighing on gold, the dollar index was up 0.2%. 

Gold is still up about 23% this year, boosted by its appeal as a hedge against likely inflation and currency debasement that may follow the unprecedented stimulus measures globally.

"In the short-term, (gold) prices may continue to drift lower towards $1,800. We expect the next leg of the bull market to resume next month or January 2021," said Vincent Tie, sales manager at Silver Bullion.

Increased coronavirus-driven restrictions in the United States, where the death toll crossed 250,000, caused Asian equities to fall from record highs, while bonds were buoyed by growing bets that the U.S. Federal Reserve may fill in the gap as uncertainties persist over a fiscal relief bill. 

Investors are waiting for U.S. jobs data at 1330 GMT for evidence on the state of the economy.

Silver fell 1% to $24.08 per ounce. Platinum dipped 0.6% to $936.54, while palladium eased 0.4% to $2,319.10.

(Reporting by Eileen Soreng, Diptendu Lahiri and Asha Sistla in Bengaluru; Editing by Ramakrishnan M. and Jane Merriman) ((eileen.soreng@thomsonreuters.com; Within U.S. +1 646 223 8780, Outside U.S. +91 80 6749 6131; Reuters Messaging: eileen.soreng.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))