SPDR Gold Trust GLD, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings rose 0.4% to 1,028.36 tonnes on Friday. By Sethuraman N R May 17 (Reuters) - Gold prices hit a 3-1/2 month high on Monday as a dip in U.S. Treasury yields and persistent inflation worries in the bullion market burnished the appeal of the non-yielding metal. "Higher than expected (U.S.) consumer price inflation and weaker retail sales was really the potent combination for gold," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.