Gold futures inched higher on Friday as investors expect U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to calm markets with a return to conciliatory language in his inaugural address.
But analysts have also said if Trump repeats the reassuring tone taken immediately after the election in November there will be scant need for gold's safe haven attributes.
Shortly before Trump took the oath around noon eastern, spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,202.96 U.S. an ounce, while U.S. gold futures rose 0.1% at $1,203.10 U.S.
The dollar index, which measures the American dollar against a basket of currencies, fell 0.1% to 101.09. A firmer dollar makes the metal more expensive for holders of other currencies.
Better than expected U.S. jobs, housing and factory data reinforced the view that the U.S. economy is sufficiently robust to warrant interest rate rises.
