Gold prices ended the U.S. day session steady to slightly lower in quiet, pre-holiday trading Wednesday. A dearth of bullish fundamental news recently and a bearish chart posture are keeping gold prices on the defensive. Some chart consolidation is also evident this week. February Comex gold was last up $0.40 at $1,198.20 an ounce. Spot gold was last down $3.10 at $1,198.50. March Comex silver last traded down $0.016 at $16.595 an ounce.
