Gold Prices Rejuvenate, Head Higher

NEW YORK (TheStreet ) -- Gold prices were rallying Tuesday after IBM's(IBM) disappointing earnings miss and as weak revenue plagued corporate second-quarter results.

Gold for August delivery was adding $7.80 to $1,189.70 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The gold price Tuesday has traded as high as $1,193.70 and as low as $1,175.10. The U.S. dollar index was rallying 0.09% to $82.70 while the euro was falling 0.15% to $1.29 vs. the dollar. The spot gold price Tuesday was slipping more than $5, according to Kitco's gold index.

Gold prices were rebounding from earlier losses Tuesday as investors bought gold at "discount" prices as protection against weak corporate earnings. Investors were staying cautious during a difficult earnings season in the U.S. that has highlighted how hard it is for companies like Goldman Sachs(GS) to make money, which is leading to light revenue and choppy outlooks.

Gold is typically a safe-haven bet for investors in uncertain trading times, which could support prices over the long term. In the short term, however, gold prices could see more volatility as traders also buy cash and the U.S. dollar. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was 2.93% as investors rushed to buy U.S. debt. A stronger U.S. currency also makes gold, a dollar-backed commodity, more expensive to buy in other currencies, which can hurt prices.

Investors are also jittery on the euro headed into Friday's results of the European Union banks' stress tests. The results will provide transparency on the health of the European banking system but investors are guarding themselves against any negative surprises.

"For the moment gold looks as if it will have to consolidate further after failing to hold the $1200 level," says James Moore, analyst at thebulliondesk.com. "Dips continue to draw bargain-hunting interest, however, the real test will be if gold can hold the May 21 low of $1,166."

Gold prices got a shock to the system last week after the Labor Department said the core consumer price index rose just 0.9% year over year which took inflation fears off the table. Those investors who had been buying gold as a hedge against inflation unwound their trades and put their money in other assets.