Gold prices eases on thursday

Gold prices edged down on Thursday but mostly held on to gains made the previous day after the Federal Reserve noted some economic improvements but reiterated its pledge to keep interest rates low.

The Fed's pledge on Wednesday to keep interest rates low for"an extended period" reaffirmed the weak outlook for the dollar.

But in the short term the dollar was on the rise, driven byunwinding of short dollar, long euro positions ahead of theyear-end. The euro fell below a key support of $1.46-$1.45 thisweek to trade at around $1.4430.