US gold futures ended 10 cents lower on Friday, but the metal has gained for two consecutive weeks for the first time since June, as weak jobs data prompted investors to buy gold as an alternative asset.
COMEX December gold futures settled down 10 cents at $1,216.60 an ounce on the COMEX division of the NYMEX.
Ranged $1,212.30 to $1,219.80 an ounce.
Gold remained steady after government data showed slightly more-than-expected consumer prices in July, and retail sales showing hints of lingering economic softness.
Bullion benefited from higher-than-expected US jobless claims and the Federal Reserve's downgrade of its economic outlook - traders.
Gold looked bullish after the December contract closed above key resistance at its 50-day moving average at around $1,214 an ounce on Thursday - analysts.
Gold prices could rally to its "shoulder" at a record high $1,280 an ounce, driven by a bullish inverted head-and-shoulder pattern - Rick Bensignor at investment banking group Execution Noble.
COMEX estimated final volume at a tiny 68,911 lots.
Spot gold at $1,213.60 an ounce at 2:04 pm EDT (1804 GMT), versus the previous session's late quote at $1,211.20 an ounce.
London afternoon fix at $1,214.25 an ounce.
COMEX September silver ends up 4.4 cents at $18.109 an ounce, taking the lead from gold.
Silver prices ignored protests disrupting output at two of the world's top silver mines in Bolivia.
Ranged $17.960 to $18.180 an ounce.
COMEX estimated final volume at 20,962 lots.
Spot silver at $18.09 an ounce, compared with $18.02 late in the previous session.
London silver fix at $18.06 per ounce.
NYMEX October platinum finishes down $5.40 at $1,526.20 an ounce on economic worries.
Spot platinum at $1,519.50 an ounce.
September palladium closes up $6.20, or 1.3 per cent, at $477.25 an ounce on short-covering and investment demand - traders.
