Gold prices rose on Friday, in calm trading while the US dollar held against its peers.

Stock and bond markets in several countries around the world are closed today in observance of the Christmas holidays, led by the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK, France and Italy.

These markets will resume work next Monday, amid the continued focus on the latest updates regarding in the Covid-19 crisis.

Yesterday, gold February futures rose 0.3% or $5.10, and closed at $1,883.2 an ounce, but posted 0.3% weekly loss.

The dollar index held against a basket of major currencies at 90.2 points as of 18:31 GMT, after hitting a high of 90.4 points and a low of 90.2 points.

Gold spot futures rose 0.2% to $1882.6 an ounce as of 18:32 GMT, with today’s high at $1887.4, and the low at $1873.1.

Euro fell against the US dollar on Friday, amid calm trading due to Christmas holidays.

Stock and bond markets in several countries around the world are closed today in observance of the Christmas holidays, led by the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK, France and Italy.

These markets will resume work next Monday, amid the continued focus on the latest updates regarding in the Covid-19 crisis.

Bearing in mind that the numbers of infections and deaths from the deadly disease are still increasing, amid concerns that the new strain of the virus will worsen the pandemic.

Global markets received support yesterday after the United Kingdom and the European Union finally secured a historic deal on the future relations, which paves the way for a flexible Brexit, only one week before the negotiations deadline on December 31.

As of 14:54 GMT, EUR/USD held at 1.2196, after hitting a high of 1.2210 and a low of 1.2163.

Asian stock indices opened the fifth session of the week mixed following earlier inflation and labor data from Japan, with Chinese stocks gaining ground after Pfizer said its vaccine is effective against the new coronavirus strain. 

From Japan, Tokyo consumer prices fell 1.3%, compared to a 0.7% drop in October, while core prices fell 0.9%. 

Japan's unemployment rate fell to 2.9%, while retail sales fell 2% in November, compared to a 0.5% rise in October. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 0.12%, while Nikkei 225 declined 0.03% to 26,659. 

China's CSI 300 rose 0.31%, while Shanghai added 0.57% to 3,382. 

USD/JPY tilted lower in Asian trade while on track for the first weekly profit in three following earlier data from Japan and amid a lack thereof from the US for Christmas holidays. 

As of 05:13 GMT, USD/JPY fell 0.09% to 103.56, with an intraday low at 103.50. 

From Japan, Tokyo consumer prices fell 1.3%, compared to a 0.7% drop in October, while core prices fell 0.9%. 

Japan's unemployment rate fell to 2.9%, while retail sales fell 2% in November, compared to a 0.5% rise in October.