Gold held firm around $920 on Wednesday after ending the last quarter up more than 4 percent, as investors awaited key U.S. economic data to see their impact on stock and currency markets. Recent stock market rallies and a strengthening dollar have undermined sentiment in gold, and analysts say stock and currency movements are likely to continue to dictate the metal's direction. Gold was $919.90 an ounce at 0450 GMT, up 0.3 percent from New York's notional close of $917.15 on Tuesday, It has so far moved between $916.30 and $921.50, in line with the previous day's trading ranges. "Gold is still very much trading within the trading ranges of the previous day and I guess traders are probably cautious moving forward and are waiting for key data and figures," said Adrian Koh, an analyst at Phillip Futures. Bullion is down about 9 percent from an 11-month high above $1,000 in February and 11 percent off its record high of $1030.80 hit last March. David Moore, a commodity strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, said there had been not much information during Asian business hours to drive the market. "You have some really important U.S. economic data out in the next couple of days and that's potentially going to move the U.S. dollar, and therefore the gold price," he said. U.S. construction spending for February and U.S. automaker sales data for March will be released on Wednesday, while U.S. jobless claims are due out on Thursday. ECON Gold prices have fallen below $1,000 marked in February as investors booked profits, seeing limited upside due to weak demand for jewellery amid the economic downturn, but have held generally above $900. India, the world's largest market for gold, did not import any for the second month running in March as high prices dented consumer demand. [ID:nBOM457329] But gold's appeal as a hedge against risk continues to keep investment in gold-backed securities solid. The world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, the SPDR Gold Trust GLD, said holdings stayed unchanged at a record 1,127.44 tonnes as of March 31, a level first reached on March 29. [GOL/SPDR] For details on the gold holdings of the ETF listed in New York and co-listed on other exchanges, click on: here Investors use gold as a hedge against financial uncertainty and inflation, while a higher U.S. currency makes gold priced in dollars more expensive for holders of other currencies. The dollar and the yen rose after Bloomberg reported that U.S. President Barack Obama was prepared to let U.S. automakers go bankrupt, but retreated from the day's highs after a U.S. administration official said it was inaccurate. [USD/] Tokyo shares ended the morning up nearly 3 percent, tracking a rise in Wall Street. [.T] Prices as of 0455 GMT Metal Last Change Pct chg YTD pct chg Turnover Spot Gold 919.45 2.30 +0.25 4.47 Spot Silver 12.94 0.01 +0.08 14.31 Spot Platinum 1129.00 5.50 +0.49 21.14 Spot Palladium 215.00 1.50 +0.70 16.53 TOCOM Gold 2928.00 10.00 +0.34 13.80 27463 TOCOM Platinum 3615.00 35.00 +0.98 36.31 10200 TOCOM Silver 408.00 -3.20 -0.78 27.78 269 TOCOM Palladium 696.00 14.00 +2.05 26.55 493 Euro/Dollar 1.3204 Dollar/Yen 98.56 TOCOM prices in yen per gram, except silver which is priced in yen per 10 grams. Spot prices in $ per ounce.

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