Gold Ends Firmer on Short Covering in Quiet, Pre-Holiday Trading

(Kitco News) - Gold prices ended the U.S. day session with modest gains Tuesday, on a short-covering bounce following recent selling pressure. Trading was quiet ahead of the Christmas holiday on Wednesday. The gold and silver market bears remain in firm technical command. February gold was last up $6.70 at $1,203.70 an ounce. Spot gold was last quoted up $6.30 at $1205.25. March Comex silver last traded up $0.082 at $19.495 an ounce.