Gold prices recovered from an early sell off in Asia to hold on to overnight gains heading into more active European trading on Wednesday.
But a rising US dollar against the euro threatened to unleash further bouts of selling outside the United States that have so far trimmed bullion by 4 percent since a mid-October spike to the highest prices in 18 years.
"The gold market appears to have fallen back in love with the currency market after a brief break-up," Commonwealth Bank of Australia commodities strategist David Thurtell said in a report to clients.
Falling stock markets and rising oil prices last month helped put polish on US dollar-denominated gold prices as investors sought a convenient hedge against inflation.
"But a firmer tone to world equities, some abatement in energy prices and data showing continued tame core inflation has since caused some retracement." said Thurtell, adding physical demand had dried up in many large gold-consuming nations.
The metal traded in a narrow band in Asia after backing off slightly early on, weighed down by light profit-taking.
At 0239 GMT, spot gold cost $461.55/$462.05 an ounce, up slightly from $461.20/462.00 in New York on Tuesday, when it rose more than $2.
Dealers said some investors in Asia appeared ready to buy bullion on any price dips, which was in part countering sales due to unfavourable currency movements. The dollar held near 2-year highs against the euro and the yen on Wednesday, with analysts expecting the US currency to post more gains in coming days. The euro was fetching $1.1762, down from $1.1780 in late New York trade.
The single currency is plagued by rioting in France and uncertainty over a new government in Germany, while the dollar has been bolstered by confidence in the US economy and rising American interest rates.
The dollar was little changed at 117.28 yen.
Silver was at $7.62/7.65 an ounce, firming from $7.57/7.60 in New York. Palladium edged up to $229/233 an ounce from $226/229, and platinum gained $4 to $941/$945 an ounce.
Benchmark Tokyo platinum futures rose to a 19-year high of 3,500 yen per gram as bullish technicals and gains in gold prompted active buying from fund operators.
The market was poised to push the key platinum contract through a record peak of 3,520 yen per gram in the near term, but apparently faced strong profit-taking orders at 3,500 yen. October platinum contract was at 3,498 yen per gram, up 10 yen or 0.29 percent from Tuesday's settlement. It had moved in a range of 3,495 to 3,500 yen.
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