Jan 3 (Reuters) - Gold prices inched up on Friday, on track to record a fourth consecutive weekly gain, as the dollar eased, while investors awaited the release of minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's December meeting.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= rose 0.1% to $1,530.35 per ounce by 0119 GMT. Prices of the metal had touched their highest since Sept. 25 at $1,531.20 in the previous session. U.S. gold futures GCv1 gained 0.3% to $1,533.
* For the week, spot gold was set to rise 1.3%, a fourth consecutive weekly increase.
* The dollar index .DXY was down against a basket of rivals, making gold cheaper for holders of other currencies. USD/
* Investors now eye the minutes of the Federal Reserve's Dec. 10-11 policy meeting, due at 1900 GMT. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.
* The number of Americans filing claims for jobless benefits edged lower last week, a positive signal for the U.S. labour market amid recent signs that new claims may be trending slightly higher. Confusion around details of the Phase 1 trade deal also supported gold prices this week. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the interim deal would be signed on Jan. 15. SPDR Gold Trust GLD , the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings rose 0.23% to 895.30 tonnes on Thursday from 893.25 tonnes on Tuesday. Among other precious metals, silver XAG= rose 0.1% to $18.04 per ounce, while platinum XPT= gained 0.5% to $983.22, having risen as much as 3% in the previous session. Palladium XPD= edged up 0.2% to $1,963.23 per ounce. DATA AHEAD (GMT) 0700 UK
Nationwide House Price MM, YY Dec 0745 France
CPI (EU Norm) Prelim YY
Dec 0855 Germany Unemployment Chg, Rate SA
Dec 1300 Germany CPI Prelim YY
Dec 1300 Germany HICP Prelim YY
Dec 1500 US
ISM Manufacturing PMI
Dec 1900 US
Federal Open Market Committee issues minutes from its meeting of December 10-11