Gold initially fell after the FOMC left US interest rates on hold, but comments from Fed chair Jerome Powell reversed the trend.
Powell said there would be a tough few months ahead for the US economy, given potential lockdowns and coronavirus deaths rising to more than 3000 a day.
US stocks were mixed and gold rose to $1868.50 an ounce after dipping as low as $1848/oz.
Silver was the bigger mover, surging 3.6% to back over $25/oz.
