Gold inched down in thin trade on Thursday, with investors keeping a close eye on talks between the White House and Congress to prevent the US economy from plunging into recession next year. Gold fell $3.08 an ounce to $1,656.41 by 0548 GMT. It has come off a 4-month low struck last week, but remains below a record high of around $1,920 hit in September 2011. US gold for February slipped $3.40 an ounce to $1,657.30.