Gold up 0.2% in first trading day of 2015, posts 3rd straight weekly loss

New York (Jan 2)  Gold futures ended slightly higher on Friday, with the February contract GCG5, -0.01% rising $2.10, or 0.2%, to close at $1,186.20 an ounce. Analysts said gold found support as equities stumbled in the wake of weaker-than-expected economic data. Thin trading made for choppy market action. On a most-active basis, gold futures lost 0.9% over the course of the holiday-shortened week, according to FactSet, marking the precious metal's third straight weekly decline.

Spot silver edged down 10 cents to $15.75 on lackluster volume, while platinum tumbles $9 to $1,198 -- but palldium rose $3 to $796.

Source:  MarketWatch