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Istanbul gold

slightly up

ISTANBUL: Istanbul gold ended slightly up in lira terms due to a weaker lira in the domestic currency markets, but was steady in dollar terms as foreign markets were closed due to the Easter holiday, dealers said.

"Today's purchases have Monday's value date and not many traders wanted to buy in dollar terms because foreign markets will be closed on Monday as well. It will be hard to set a price in that case," Murat Ali Oral from Rehber Doviz said.

Gold gained 4,800 lira to 914,000 lira per gram while ending at $395.05 per ounce versus Thursday's $395.00.

Trading volume dropped by 26 percent to 271 kilograms.

The lira weakened to 71,640 per dollar from Thursday's 71,560.

In the first session on the Exchange, there were 121 kilos of trade and in the second session, 150 kilos.

Gold lost $2.25 per ounce in the week but gained 2,600 lira per gram.-Reuter