Gold prices held near a four-month high due to the instability in world markets, increases the demand for low-risk assets.

Stocks of the world's largest gold ETF-secured fund SPDR Gold Trust on Friday rose 1.92 percent to 730.89 tons, which was the maximum daily increase since May 2010.

"Volatility in the European currency markets stimulates demand for gold as a safe asset," - said an analyst at ANZ Victor Tyanpiriya.

Euro against the dollar held near 11-year low, as analysts almost certain that at a meeting on Thursday, the ECB announced the commencement of purchase of government bonds. Traders are waiting for data on China's GDP in the fourth quarter and the outcome of the meeting of the Bank of Japan.

Last Thursday, the Swiss National Bank shocked markets abandonment of the exchange rate of 1.20 francs per euro, making it clear that he expects that during the upcoming meeting on Thursday the ECB will resort to quantitative easing.

This decision came as a surprise to the financial markets, with the result that the Swiss franc has appreciated in all directions.

Index USD, which measures the strength of the US dollar against a basket of six major currencies, fell 0.35% to 92.72.

The cost of the February gold futures on the COMEX today fell to 1273.10 dollars per ounce.