Dollar Broadly Higher; Gold Mixed

The dollar rose broadly Monday, extending a rally touched off by expectations of faster economic growth and higher interest rates in the United States.

The British pound, which tumbled more than 2 cents, was a big loser to the dollar. Elsewhere, the dollar climbed above 9 French francs in Paris for the first time since July 9.

The price of gold was mixed in world markets, falling in Hong Kong, rising in Europe and falling again later in the United States. Republic National Bank of New York said gold bullion was bid at $319.50 an ounce as of 4 p.m. EDT, down $1.50 from the late bid Friday.

Bullion dealers said the dollar’s rise was the major factor in gold’s performance.

With its latest rise, the dollar now has climbed 5.8% above its level on Aug. 21, the low point of the year, as measured by the Federal Reserve Board’s trade-weighted index. The index climbed 0.86% on Monday to 143.62, its highest level since July 5.