Gold firmed on Monday as the dollar fell, but the metal stayed in a tight $6 range as investors held off on big moves ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.
Spot gold was 0.1 percent higher at $1,222.96 per ounce by 10:49 a.m. EST (1549 GMT) after hitting a one-week high of $1,225.29 in the previous session. US gold futures were steady at $1,223.50.
The dollar fell to two-week lows after Federal Reserve officials' comments about the US economy suggested the central bank may be nearing the end of its tightening cycle. A softer dollar makes gold cheaper for holders of other currencies.
"If we hear more dovish comments on the tightening cycle, this will drag the dollar lower and give another push to gold prices," said Hussein Sayed, chief market strategist at FXTM.
Trading volumes are expected to remain subdued before the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.
"I expect prices to consolidate around the $1,220 level throughout the remainder of the week. There is not a lot of news action in the market," said Phil Streible, senior commodities strategist at RJO Futures in Chicago.
"We are expecting the Fed to raise interest rates at the next meeting in December. Most likely that will keep gold from getting above the recent highs."
Higher rates dampen the appeal of gold, which pays no interest and incurs costs to store and insure.
Indicative of investor sentiment toward bullion, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.2 percent to their lowest in a week on Friday.
Hedge funds and money managers boosted their net short position in gold to the highest in five weeks.
Palladium fell 1.4 percent to $1,160.40 per ounce, after hitting a record high of $1,185.40 in the previous session.
"We still see palladium prices remaining supported at or above recent levels for the next six months... as demand remains very firm, risk markets recover October losses, and industrial metals receive a bid on the back of firmer Chinese demand," JP Morgan analysts said in a note.
Silver gained 0.1 percent to $14.43 an ounce, while platinum rose 0.3 percent to $849.20 per ounce.
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