Gold prices, though little changed in holiday-thinned trade on Thursday, were on course for their best annual performance in 10 years.
Spot gold, up more than 24 percent this year in its best performance since 2010, was almost flat at $1,893.10 per ounce as of 12:40 GMT.
United States gold futures were up 0.2 percent to $1,897.40.
“With reduced market participants activity on the last day of the year, I expect gold to move in a narrow range. Some modest support is coming from a slightly weaker US dollar and modestly lower US real rates,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
“We look for a move towards $1,950 in the first quarter of 2021, with the expansionary monetary and fiscal policy pushing inflation expectations up and with US real rates falling further.”
The dollar index fell to a more than two-year trough, making gold cheaper for other currency holders.
European shares fell as wider coronavirus lockdowns in Britain reduced expectations for a swift economic recovery in 2021, despite the vaccine roll-out campaigns.
Keeping gold’s advance in check was United States Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s refusal for a quick Senate vote on a bill to increase US relief checks to $2,000.
Unprecedented stimulus measures and low interest rates to cushion economies from the impact of the pandemic this year have benefitted gold, as it is seen as a hedge against inflation.
Silver fell 0.6 percent to $26.45 per ounce but is up more than 48 percent this year in its best performance since 2010.
Platinum rose 0.9 percent to $1,075.56 per ounce and is up more than 10 percent in 2020.
Palladium gained 1.1 percent to $2,389.15, on track for a fifth straight year of gains with a 22 percent rise.
Source: Reuters