Gold lost in price yet again on Friday and experts said it was headed for a fifth straight weekly decline, weighed down by a stronger U.S. dollar and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike next week.
Spot gold had declined 0.8% to $1,161.05 U.S. an ounce by mid-morning Friday, and was down about 0.6% for the week.
U.S. gold futures had shed 0.8% to $1,163.40 U.S. per ounce.
The U.S. dollar held large gains against the yen and euro early on Friday, as traders awaited the decision next week by the Fed, which is expected to hike rates at its policy meeting next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Expectations of further U.S. interest rate increases lower demand for the non-interest-paying bullion.
Elsewhere among metals, silver was down 0.2% at $16.97 U.S. an ounce and platinum fell about 0.5% to $934.20 U.S.
Palladium was steady at $736.00 U.S. an ounce, after reaching its lowest since Nov. 18 in the previous session.
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