Gold recovered slightly on Friday after sharp overnight declines but the metal remained near six-week lows and on track for a second straight weekly decline, as improving sentiment over the US economic outlook dented its safe-haven appeal. Spot gold was up 0.5 percent at $1,297 an ounce by 0739 GMT. On Thursday, gold fell to $1,288.80 - its lowest since February 13 - before closing down 1 percent.