Investing.com - Gold prices were little changed on Friday, as markets eyed the release of U.S. fourth quarter economic growth data later in the day, after a batch of disappointing reports on Thursday dampened optimism over the country's recovery.
On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for April delivery were steady at $1,210.30.
The April contract ended Thursday's session 0.72% higher at $1,210.10 an ounce.
Futures were likely to find support at $1,190.50, the low from February 24 and resistance at $1,219.80, Thursday's high.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported on Thursday that the number of individuals filing for initial jobless benefits increased by 31,000 to 313,000 last week from the previous week’s revised total of 282,000.
Data also showed that U.S. consumer prices declined 0.7% last month, compared to estimates for a decline of 0.6%, while core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy costs, increased by 0.2% in January, above expectations for a 0.1% increase.
On the upside, the U.S. Commerce Department said that total durable goods orders increased by 2.8% last month, above expectations for a gain of 1.7%, while core durable goods orders, excluding volatile transportation items, inched up 0.3% in January, disappointing forecasts for a 0.5% gain.
Meanwhile, the precious metal remained supported after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said that it was "unlikely" that economic conditions would warrant an interest rate increase for "at least the next couple of FOMC meetings".
Market participants were now looking to the release of revised data on fourth quarter growth, as well as reports on pending home sales, business activity in the Chicago region and consumer sentiment due later in the day.
Elsewhere in metals trading, silver for May delivery slipped 0.11% to $16.608 a troy ounce, while copper futures for May delivery edged lower 0.14% to $2.687 a pound.