Gold down on US rate hike expectations; ECB meeting in focus

* The euro and dollar drifted sideways early on Wednesday as a wait-and-see mood prevailed ahead of Thursday's European Central Bank policy meeting, which may set the tone in a post-Trump rally currency market.

* The euro was boosted last Friday by news that the ECB, while possibly extending its bond purchases beyond next March, may consider sending a formal signal that the asset purchase program will eventually end.

* The US trade deficit recorded its biggest increase in more than 1-1/2 years in October as exports of soybeans and other products fell, suggesting trade would be a drag on growth in the fourth quarter.

* Total US Mint sales of 2016-dated American Eagle silver bullion coins fell 20 percent from a record in 2015 to the lowest in four years, a spokesman said on Tuesday after this year's supply sold out.

* Japanese manufacturers' confidence rose for a fourth straight month to a 16-month high in December and the service sector's mood also rose, a Reuters poll showed, with a weaker yen brightening prospects for exporters.

* China will rein in risks from "irrational" outbound investment deals, although the government will stick to its opening up policy, Xinhua news agency said on Tuesday, citing a variety of officials.

* Russia's Petropavlovsk CEO Pavel Maslovskiy told Reuters that the company sees gold price at USD 1,150 per troy ounce in its conservative scenario in 2017.

* Latin America will play an increasingly important role in Barrick Gold's growth strategy, the world's biggest gold miner said on Tuesday as it named a new director with decades of mining experience in that region.