Gold regained some strength on Thursday as recent losses started to ignite buying interest from jewellers in Asia after the Lunar New Year break, but firmer equities could limit gains. Gold was steady at $1,643.30 an ounce by 0708 GMT, having fallen below $1,650 on Wednesday after data showed disappointingly small growth in US retail sales and the S&P 500 index briefly hit its highest intraday level since November 2007.
US gold for April delivery was at $1,643.40 an ounce, down $1.70.