Gold prices eased on Thursday hurt by a firmer dollar, as investors assessed how central banks are likely to respond to surging inflation and concerns over economic growth spurred by the new Omicron coronavirus variant. Spot gold XAU= fell 0.1% to $1,780.36 per ounce by 0050 GMT. U.S. gold futures GCv1 dropped 0.1% to $1,782.50.