Comex gold futures prices ended the U.S. day session modestly lower Wednesday. The precious yellow metal was pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar index and by the present weak near-term technical posture for gold. February gold last traded down $4.50 an ounce at $1,657.50. Spot gold was last quoted down $2.90 at $1,658.50.  March Comex silver last traded down $0.095 at $30.37 an ounce.