Gold prices firmed early on Wednesday as the dollar weakened slightly, with investors waiting for the release of minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's last meeting in July for clues on the pace of potential interest rate hikes.

Fundamentals

* Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,272.47 per ounce by 0048 GMT, after falling for two straight days.

* U.S. gold futures for December delivery fell 0.13 percent to $1,278.00 per ounce.

* The dollar edged lower in early Asian trading on Wednesday, but held most of its gains made after U.S. retail sales data suggested the economy continued to gain momentum in the third quarter.

* It is perhaps fitting that the biggest annual gathering of central banking's great and good takes place at a fishing retreat: financial markets are angling for the slightest hint on where monetary policy is headed.

* Tuesday he did not share the view of Germany's constitutional court that the European Central Bank may be violating laws on monetary financing with its 2.3 trillion euro asset purchase programme.

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