Gold fell for a fourth consecutive session on Thursday as the dollar rose on signs the US economic outlook was improving, but technical buying lifted prices off their lows. Strong economic reports this week including purchasing managers' indexes, new factory orders and upbeat private-sector jobs data have driven the dollar higher, diminishing gold's safe-haven appeal.
The data raised expectations that Friday's key US jobs data will beat forecasts. Some investors unwound solid gains made on thin volume in gold and other precious metals over the holidays. The year-end rally saw silver hit a series of 30-year highs and palladium touch a near 10-year peak. Gold had come within $10 of a new all-time high on Monday.
Spot gold fell 0.3 percent to $1,373.80 an ounce at 12:03 pm (1703 GMT) US gold futures for February delivery were down $1 at $1,372.70.
Spot silver fell 0.2 percent to $29.18 an ounce. Gold has risen toward its record $1,430,95 an ounce level three times since November but failed each time.
Platinum inched up 0.1 percent to $1,729 an ounce and palladium dropped 1.5 percent to $761.47 after rising above $800 an ounce, its highest in nearly 10 years.