- Gold prices steadied in Asian trading on Thursday after recording two consecutive days of gains. Increased uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's hawkish policy and President-elect Donald Trump's plans for trade tariffs fueled some safe-haven demand.

- Spot gold fell by 0.1% to $2,660.36 per ounce, while gold futures expiring in February rose by 0.2% to $2,678.60 per ounce.

- The metal remained under pressure from the dollar's strength, which approached its highest levels in over two years, coinciding with hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve.

- Bullion prices benefited from some safe-haven demand this week, as uncertainty around Trump's trade and immigration policies dampened risk appetite.

- Concerns about Trump's policies grew after the minutes of the Fed's December meeting revealed that policymakers expressed some concern about persistent inflation.

- Federal Reserve officials are worried that Trump's expansionary policies could increase inflation in the long term.

- The minutes also emphasized the Fed's plans to cut interest rates at a slower pace in 2025, after it revised its projected rate cuts from four times to two in 2025.

- Higher interest rates for longer periods represent a threat to non-yielding assets such as gold and silver, as they increase the opportunity cost of investing in this sector.

- On the other hand, platinum futures fell by 0.1% to $983.75 per ounce, while silver futures rose by 0.3% to $30.785 per ounce.

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