Gold falls on year’s final trading day to end 2014 down 1.5%

Gold prices declined slightly over 2014 as losses in the year’s final day of trading prevented the metal from merely breaking even on an annual basis.

Gold for February delivery GCG5, -1.43%  fell $16.30, or 1.4%, to settle at $1,184.10 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange, according to FactSet data. At one point during the trading day, it looked as if gold may eke out a slight gain as it hit a session high of $1,203.90 an ounce.