Gold fell to $1,173.00 (-0.85%) as investors continued assessing upbeat U.S. inflation data released Thursday and preliminary consumer confidence data published on Friday. A report by University of Michigan showed improvements in consumer confidence strengthening expectations for a rate hike by the Federal Reserve. The Reuters/Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 92.1 in October beating expectations for an 89 points reading. However uncertainty over a potential rate hike persisted as recent data were mixed (U.S. industrial production fell by 0.2% m/m in September).