Gold slipped on Wednesday in Europe but stayed in narrow ranges as the market tracked the dollar with trade thinning ahead of year-end holidays, dealers said. Spot gold stood at $440.50/441.25 an ounce by 1123 GMT, down from $441.30/442.10 late in New York on Tuesday. "Volumes have been light, reflecting the relative calm in the currency markets and the lack of any gold-specific news to move the market," Alan Williamson, analyst with HSBC Bank, said in a report.
"Trading is likely to continue to be quiet ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays," he said, but added that Thursday's US economic data might move the market.
October personal income data are due to be released at 1330, along with November durable goods shipments and the University of Michigan's consumer confidence data for December at 1445 GMT.
The dollar was mixed in narrow ranges, strengthening slightly in the afternoon.
A weaker dollar raises the buying power of non-US investors for dollar-priced gold. The euro was last at $1.3382/85. James Moore of The BullionDesk.com said in a daily report that gold should find plenty of trading opportunities between $435 and $444.
"However bearish data...and the prospect of `safe-haven' buying ahead of the Christmas holiday, particularly in the current geo-political climate could see us test towards $448-50," he added.
Spot silver fell to $6.83/6.87 from $6.87/6.90 in New York on Tuesday.
Platinum was unchanged at $840.00/844.00, while palladium gained to $182.00/186.00 from $179.50/185.50.
Palladium was under pressure after the market hit a 16-month low early this week at $174, with dealers looking for the price to slip further towards $160.
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