Gold prices inched higher on Thursday during thin holiday trading, as investors await signals on the Federal Reserve’s 2025 interest rate plans and potential policy shifts from the incoming Trump administration. The precious metal’s gains were modest, with spot gold rising 0.5% to $2,627.62 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures added 0.3%. Market participants are closely monitoring upcoming U.S. jobless claims data and anticipating potential market impacts from Trump’s policies on tariffs, deregulation, and taxes in 2025.