NEW YORK, Dec 21 (Reuters) - New York gold futures turned modestly lower in light Monday profit-taking, as the metal continued its choppy pattern in an opposing dance with the dollar, which was also fluctuating around unchanged levels against the euro, traders said. For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/]. GOLD * Gold futures for February delivery GCG0 on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange slipped $4.30 to $1,107.20 an ounce. * Range ran from $1,104.90 to $1,120.80 an ounce. * Gold had been trading higher after the dollar slipped against the euro, then reversed course to turn lower in a light selling spree as players grab profits as the number of trading sessions left in the year dwindle - traders. * Dollar fell against the euro in thin, preholiday trade as firmer equity prices prompted investors to book profits on the greenback's recent gains. [USD/] * Gold selling was light and lacked conviction as several bullish factors kept the yellow metal supported - traders. * Some players sold gold to move money into rallying equities - traders. * Stock indexes were boosted early by energy and materials shares. [.N] * Oil prices held firm above $73 a barrel after a 1 percent rise in the previous session, as Iranian troops partly withdrew from a disputed oil area in Iraq, reducing tensions between two major crude exporters. [O/R] * Inflationary implications of higher oil prices underpin gold prices - traders. * But some of the safe-haven gold purchases made Friday after the Iran/Iraq border news were being unwound - traders. * Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Sunday a group of Iranian troops, who had taken over an oil well in a remote region along the Iran-Iraq border last week, were no longer in control of the well. [ID:nLDE5BJ01L] * Volatility was generally expected for this week with players on both sides of the gold play heading into year end and setting up for early 2010 - traders. * Spot gold XAU= moved down to $1,106.70 an ounce by 10:41 a.m. EST (1541 GMT) from $1,112.50 an ounce in late New York trade on Friday. * COMEX estimated 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT) gold volume 63,868 lots. * London morning gold fix XAUFIX= was set higher at $1,113.25 an ounce. SILVER * March silver SIH0 fell 9 cents to $17.23 an ounce. * Range spanned $17.1550 to $17.5250 per ounce. * COMEX estimated 10 a.m. silver volume at 11,211 lots. * Spot silver XAG= dropped to $17.18 an ounce from $17.27 an ounce in late Friday dealings. * London silver was fixed XAGFIX= lower at $17.27 an ounce. PLATINUM * NYMEX January platinum PLF0 was up $1.60 at $1,430.90 an ounce. * Spot platinum XPT= was quoted slightly lower at $1,425.50 an ounce from $1,428 an ounce. PALLADIUM * March palladium PAH0 drops 5 cents to $367.85 an ounce. * Spot palladium XPD= quoted higher at $363.50 an ounce from $362 an ounce previously.

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