PRECIOUS-Gold slips as ECB gives no stimulus cue

* U.S. Aug unadjusted CPI index comes above expectation
* Gold up 0.6% this week
* Platinum on track for best week since early Aug
* Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus:
open
https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser

(Updates prices)
By Diptendu Lahiri
Sept 11 (Reuters) - Gold prices dipped on Friday after the
European Central Bank stopped short of offering any concrete
signals on further stimulus, but lingering economic
uncertainties kept the metal on track for a weekly rise.
Spot gold XAU= was down 0.4% at $1,945.79 per ounce by
1243 GMT, after hitting its highest level since Sept. 2 at
$1,965.94 on Thursday. Gold has gained 0.6% this week.
U.S. gold futures GCcv1 fell 0.7% to $1,950.20.
"The ECB did not address the stronger euro, neither did it
come up with any stimulus plans, which will keep inflation in
check in the euro zone. That's negative for gold," said
Quantitative Commodity Research analyst Peter Fertig.
ECB President Christine Lagarde played down concerns about
the euro's strength and disappointed hopes for more stimulus.
The U.S. Senate blocked a Republican bill that would have
provided around $300 billion in new coronavirus aid. Gold is perceived as a hedge against inflation and currency
debasement.
Economic indicators suggest a long and difficult recovery
from the pandemic, especially in the labour market. Latest data
showed U.S. consumer prices increased more than expected in
August. "While COVID-19 vaccine developments and improving economic
data present near-term headwinds to gold, low and negative
interest rates, a weaker USD, and expectations for further
stimulus keep the balance of risks to the upside," Standard
Chartered said in a note.
Recent data showed Britain's economy grew for a third month
in a row in July as some sectors reopened after the coronavirus
lockdown, but it remained around 12% smaller than its
pre-pandemic level. Elsewhere, silver XAG= dropped 0.4% to $26.81 per ounce,
while palladium XPD= rose 0.3% to $2,299.95.
Platinum XPT= was up 0.5% to $931.15 and was heading for
its best week since the week ending Aug. 7, up 4%.