• Gold prices were steady on Thursday, supported by uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policy after Wednesday's Federal Reserve minutes failed to give the market much direction, despite its support for interest rate hikes.
• Spot gold had crept down 0.1 percent to $1,236.30 per ounce at 0109 GMT, while U.S. gold futures GCcv1 rose 0.4 percent to $1,237.6.
• "Gold continues to tread water post the Federal Open Market Committee minutes, probably the highlight of a very light data week," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA.
• Spot gold remains neutral in a range of $1,233-$1,240 per ounce, and an escape could suggest a direction, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.
• Investors were also looking ahead to an address by U.S. President Donald Trump to Congress next week at which he is expected to announce tax policies.
"Markets are hoping that we get some long awaited concrete detail on the new administration's economic and fiscal policy," Halley said.
• French far right leader Marine Le Pen has increased her lead in the first round of France's presidential election, though she is still seen being beaten by a wide margin in a runoff, a BVA-Salesforce poll published on Thursday showed
• In other precious metals, spot silver fell 0.4 percent to $17.96 per ounce.
Reference: Reuters
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