Precious Metals Mixed As Euro-zone Worries Weigh

Precious metals are mixed as euro-zone uncertainty
continues to dominate investor sentiment. Analysts say that an official
statement from the EU is unlikely to come before late Friday and any deal which
is time-consuming involving treaty changes, will not be credible. "But for now
gold remains caught between soft physical demand, relative strength of the U.S.
dollar and muted risk appetite," Barclays Capital says in a note. Based on
technical analysis, Barclays says downside risk in gold is seen toward
$1,665/oz range lows. Spot gold is at $1,713.60/oz, up $7.80, silver is at
$31.69/oz, up 3 cents, platinum is at $1,498/oz, up $5, while palladium is at
$670/oz, down $1 from its previous close.