PRECIOUS-Gold extends rally, jumps over 2% after best day since 2008

Feb 4 (Reuters) - Gold prices climbed more than 2% on Wednesday, building on their best day since 2008 in the previous session, as bargain-hunting and a softer dollar supported bullion.

FUNDAMENTALS

Spot gold XAU= was up 2.2% at $5,044.74 per ounce, as of 0112 GMT, after gaining 5.9% on Tuesday, its biggest daily gain since November 2008. Bullion scaled a record high of $5,594.82 last Thursday.

U.S. gold futures GCcv1 for April delivery climbed 2.7% to $5,067.0 per ounce.

The dollar fell against most major currencies except the yen on Tuesday, as traders consolidated recent gains fuelled by upbeat U.S. data and expectations of a less-dovish Federal Reserve. USD/

A weaker dollar makes greenback-priced bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a spending deal into law that ends a partial U.S. government shutdown.

The closely watched employment report for January will not be released this Friday because of the partial shutdown.

Investors are ramping up bets on higher long‑dated Treasury yields and a steeper yield curve as incoming Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is expected to press for interest rate cuts while shrinking the U.S. central bank's balance sheet.

The current wave is expected to be sharp, probably to surge into the $4,950 to $5,198 range, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said. TECH/C

Spot silver XAG= rose 2.1% to $86.92 an ounce. It touched a record high of $121.64 on Thursday.

Spot platinum XPT= added 2.3% to $2,260.50 per ounce after hitting an all-time high of $2,918.80 on January 26, while palladium XPD= gained nearly 3% at $1,782.85.