Gold prices consolidated after declining in the previous two sessions . On the eve of gold fell after the publication of minutes of the last meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve , during which it was decided to start to minimize the program to stimulate the economy .

Many investors in recent years to invest in gold, considering it as a hedge against inflation risks , which could be the result of the Fed's ongoing program to stimulate the economy . However, despite the trillions of dollars poured in by the central bank in the financial system by buying bonds , U.S. inflation remained muted .

According to analysts, now , when the Fed begins to reduce the monthly purchase of assets, inflation risks seem more restrained , which reduces the attractiveness of gold in the eyes of investors. In 2013, gold futures fell 28% , while investors expect the Fed will eventually announce the beginning of collapse of asset purchases , which happened in December and passed on rapidly rising stock markets .

Decline in gold prices was observed after eve was better than expected report on the U.S. labor market . These data have raised expectations about what the Fed will continue its program of folding to stimulate the economy this year.

According to published data ADP, the number of jobs in the private sector in the U.S. in December rose more sharply than economists expected. In addition, data released on Tuesday , reporting the more serious than expected , reducing the trade deficit the U.S. in November .

Today we have published data on the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits , which also came out better than expected. Gold traders closely monitor data on the U.S. labor market in search of signals about how far can the Fed in its rolling program to stimulate the economy .

Cost February gold futures on the COMEX today rose to $ 1230.90 per ounce.