MUMBAI (Reuters) - India gold futures may trade sideways to higher this week on expectations of further weakness in the dollar overseas, which enhances the yellow metal's appeal as an alternative investment, analysts said. The February gold contract was 0.01 percent lower at 16,850 rupees per 10 grams at 4:37 p.m. "Dollar may act in support of gold this week and further buying could be seen as gold is trading near its support levels," said Pranav Mer, an analyst with India Infoline in Mumbai. The dollar index, a gauge of the greenback's performance against six other major currencies, was at 77.128 versus Friday's U.S. close of 77.323. "Buying could be done at 16,820/16,830 rupees, with a target of 16,950/17,000 rupees, with a stop loss of 16,790 rupees," said Mer. February gold struck an all-time high of 18,364 rupees last month, when a weak dollar spurred buying in the yellow metal. "We could see sideways movement in gold this week, the upside could be seen till 17,000 rupees, while support is pegged at 16,650 rupees," said Harish Galipelli, head of research with JRG Wealth Management.

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