Gold futures decreased today but did not fall below the psychologically important level of USD 1,700 an ounce. The decline was caused by the lower-risk aversion among investors ahead of EU finance ministers' meeting; gold is considered to be a safe investment option with higher demand when the risk-aversion increases. On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for February delivery cost USD 1,710.75 a troy ounce at the morning European trade, being 0.22% lower.