Gold edged up on Friday, but was heading for its first weekly drop in three as a stronger U.S. dollar and higher equities kept investor interest in check.
Spot gold was up 0.5% at $1,233.61 U.S. an ounce, following a drop of 1.3% in the previous session. It was heading for a 1% loss for the week.
Gold prices have steadied after posting their biggest quarterly rise in nearly 30 years in the three months to March, driven by a reining in of expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will push ahead with several rate hikes this year.
Among other precious metals, silver futures were on track to post a 5% weekly gain, its biggest jump in six weeks. They were up 0.8% at $16.31 U.S. an ounce, after hitting its highest level since October earlier this week.
Platinum futures were headed for its third straight weekly gain, but was down 0.4% at $989.10 U.S. an ounce, while palladium futures were up 0.9% at $566.15 and were poised for its best week in six with a 4.4% rise.
