CHICAGO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange was basically unchanged on Thursday on higher-than-expected economic data.

       The most active gold contract for February delivery rose 1.80 U.S. dollars, or 0.09 percent, to close at 2,017.80 dollars per ounce.

       Gold is left a little bit on its own, as the market needs more data to judge the price trend of gold in the short term, market analysts hold.

       The European Central Bank held its key interest rates unchanged at the highest in the eurozone's two-decade history.

       Economic data released on Thursday were mixed. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that U.S. gross domestic product grew 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023, well ahead of the market consensus of 2.0 percent forecast.

       The U.S. Labor Department reported that U.S. initial jobless claims rose 25,000 to 214,000 in the week ending Jan. 20, the highest level in a month. Economists had estimated new claims would rise to 200,000.

       The U.S. Commerce Department reported that U.S. durable goods orders were virtually unchanged in December after surging by an upwardly revised 5.5 percent in November. Economists had expected durable goods orders to jump by 1.1 percent compared to the 5.4 percent spike.

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       The U.S. Commerce Department reported that U.S. new-home sales rose 8 percent to an annual rate of 664,000 in December from a revised 615,000 in November.

       Silver for March delivery rose 3.80 cents, or 0.17 percent, to close at 22.927 dollars per ounce. Platinum for April delivery fell 20.40 dollars, or 2.23 percent, to close at 894.50 dollars per ounce.