PRECIOUS-Gold eases as dollar ticks up, still on track for best week in three

* Gold up 0.4% this week
* Platinum set for best week since early Dec
* Chinese New Year holiday keeps trading muted

(Updates prices)
By Sumita Layek
Feb 12 (Reuters) - Gold eased on Friday as the U.S. dollar
and Treasury yields rose, but prices were on course for their
best week in three underpinned by hopes of more stimulus in the
world's largest economy.
Spot gold XAU= dipped 0.4% to $1,818.83 per ounce by 0721
GMT. Prices were up 0.4% this week. U.S. gold futures GCv1
slipped 0.4% to $1,819.10.
"The U.S. jobs numbers sort of talked some sense of
inflation risk out of the market and that may have weighed on
gold," said IG Market analyst Kyle Rodda.
U.S. jobless claims fell slightly last week, but were stuck
at elevated levels. "The bigger picture should be positive for gold because of
the current monetary and fiscal policy mix, but despite all the
tailwind gold's just grinding lower, so it's not a very
constructive view for the time being," Rodda said.
Trading was muted as many parts of Asia remained closed for
the Lunar New Year holiday.
The dollar .DXY and benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields
ticked higher, reducing the appeal of the precious metal.
U.S. President Joe Biden plans to ask Congress this month to
invest heavily in infrastructure after his $1.9 trillion
COVID-19 aid package makes its way through. Gold remains supported "as the spectre of stimulus measures
in the U.S. rises," ANZ analysts said in a note.
Spot platinum XPT= fell 1.1% to $1,221.61 an ounce after
prices scaled an over six-year peak of $1,268.88 on Thursday.
The autocatalyst metal was set for its best week since early
December, with a gain of 8.6%.
"Sentiment remains strong," ANZ said, adding stricter global
emission rules and a disruption at a major refinery in top
producer South Africa should keep the metal in deficit this
year. Silver XAG= gained 0.2% at $27 and palladium XPD= rose
0.1% to $2,348.43.