Gold near 2-week low; cautious mood before US data

SINGAPORE, Apr 27 (Reuters) Gold dropped on Friday and was within sight of its lowest level in two weeks as the dollar firmed ahead of the release of U.S. economic growth data.

-- Spot gold eased to $673.20/673.80 an ounce from $674.40/674.90 late in New York on Thursday, when it tumbled to its lowest since April 12 at $671.15.

-- The new benchmark gold futures for April 2008 delivery on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange fell 32 yen per gram to 2,618 yen ($21.89).

-- The euro stood at $1.3590 , slightly down on the day.

-- The market awaits the release of the first estimate of U.S. growth data for January-March at 1230 GMT, which will provide more insight on the world's biggest economy and could give some clues about the Fed's next policy move.

-- Platinum fell to $1,290/1,295 an ounce from $1,296/1,301 an ounce.

-- Palladium rose to $368/373 an ounce from $367/372 late in New York.

-- Silver was unchanged at $13.30/13.35 an ounce.

REUTERS DKS BST0653