Gold Slips Lower in Light Trading; Ends 2014 in Negative Territory (GLD) (GDX) (AUY)

Gold stocks and related ETFs saw pressure Wednesday as the precious metal pared its year-end climb.

Market data has gold for February delivery, the most active contract, down $1.70 to $1,182.4 per ounce on the Comex. The move comes following a 1.6 pop higher on Tuesday's trading session.

But, recent gains the the metal haven't offset a paltry 2014 performance; gold is down 0.6 percent for the year, which compares with an average annual gain of 12 percent over the last 14 years.

Most banks are mixed on 2015, though TD Securities and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group expect the metal to rebound next year.

Gold equities/ETFs on watch today include: Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX), Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (NYSE: AEM), Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM), Yamana (NYSE: AUY), Franco-nevada Corporation (NYSE: FNV), Silver Wheaon (NYSE: SLW), Randgold Resources Ltd (Nasdaq: GOLD), Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE: EGO), Goldcorp (NYSE: GG), SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: GLD), iShares Gold Trust (NYSE: IAU), Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDX), and Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDXJ).

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