Gold consolidates

The price of gold is kept in the range of the previous session in anticipation of further easing by the Bank of Japan.

Analysts suggest that the Bank of Japan on Tuesday announced the acquisition of the assets indefinitely as long as inflation does not reach 2 percent. In the past, gold has risen in price for 12 years in a row by the easing of many central banks.

In the past few years, Japan has sold more gold than to buy, but aggressive monetary policy can revive interest in buying precious metal, analysts said.

Demand in the physical market Asia is growing since the beginning of the year on the eve of the New Year according to the lunar calendar in China, which is struggling to India for leadership in the use of gold. Consumption growth will continue until February 10, to this day this year Chinese New Year falls.

On Monday, Citi analysts forecast lowered the price of gold this year, but at the same time raised forecasts for prices for platinum group metals. The bank now expects the average price of gold at the end 2013 at 1675 dollars per ounce, which is 4% lower than the previous forecast. The outlook for platinum price was increased by 1.5% to $ 1,700, and the outlook for palladium - by 4.2% to $ 775 per ounce.

February futures price of gold on COMEX today trading under 1684.80 - 1691.10 dollars per ounce.