Gold strengthened further on Monday as falling equities and lingering worries about a debt crisis in Europe drew investors to the precious metal, which posted its the biggest quarterly gain this year, but a firm US dollar could still cap gains.

Stocks slipped in Asia and the euro fell on anxiety the euro zone's debt crisis will dampen global growth after the Greek government said it will miss a deficit target set just months ago in a massive bailout package.

Spot gold added $9.29 an ounce to $1,632.24 by 0308 GMT. Gold had posted a quarterly gain of 8 per cent -- its biggest this year, despite a drop of 11 per cent for September, its largely monthly decline in three years.

'Gold rises despite a firmer US dollar ... perhaps gold's appeal as a safe haven asset has been reinstated. Also, the market appears to be buying on the dip,' said Natalie Robertson, a commodities strategist at ANZ.

'Now there appears to be strong buying interest towards the $1,500 an ounce level.'

US gold rose $11.7 to $1,634 an ounce. Gold jumped to a lifetime high around $1,920 an ounce in early September after the euro fell against the dollar on growing doubts about Europe's ability to solve its debt crisis.

European Central Bank member Christian Noyer said on Monday it is unrealistic to expect an increase in Europe's bailout fund beyond what was agreed in July, but that he is open to schemes that would allow leveraging to expand capacity.

Jitters over the spiralling European debt crisis, European banks' exposure to sovereign debt and a slowing global economy caused investors to cut their bets on risky assets in the July-September quarter, sending the euro down almost 10 cents versus the dollar over the period.

In the physical market, tight supply persisted after a recent drop in bullion prices triggered aggressive buying across Asia.

'Basically people are trying to fulfil the orders. I don't have much stock. There's still some buying around and also advance booking,' said a physical dealer in Singapore.

Premiums for gold bars were steady at $2 an ounce to spot London prices in Singapore. Demand from top consumer India is also picking up during the wedding season, when gold jewellery is an essential part of the dowry basket.

In India, retail gold demand traditionally gains pace from the month of August, when the festival and wedding seasons start, culminating with Diwali, the Hindu festival of light.

'Precious metals are expected to trade higher this week and throughout this month as they recover from the late-Sept selloff. The gold market could advance toward the $1,675-$1,700 range while silver trades toward $33.00,' said precious metals and energy analyst at MF Global  Tom Pawlicki.

'After a poor showing and high volatility in September, metals could recover this week due to favourable quarter-end seasonal patterns, the ongoing uncertainty in Europe, a developing economic slowdown in China, and from the increased potential of a double-dip recession in the US'

The euro plunged to an eight-month low against the dollar on Monday and is poised to fall further, with Europe still divided over the best cure for the debt crisis and with the possibility of a Greek default looming larger than ever .
The dollar index hit an eight month high, edging up 0.5 per cent to 78.888.

Oil fell more than a dollar on Monday on growing fears the euro debt crisis may spread to other parts of the region and dampen global oil demand. – Reuters