Singapore - Spot gold sticks above USD900/oz in quiet Asia trading; risk premium from broader financial market turmoil might be waning as reaction to bad news from subprime crisis becoming slower, says a Tokyo-base trader Thursday.

"It looks like we're in the final stages of the big (equity) selloff. We might be approaching the bottom of market turbulence - though it could be an interim bottom," trader says. Notes rumors of European banks reporting further writedowns "came and went, and had little impact" during current round of financial results. But also says economic concerns make it difficult for central banks to raise interest rates, positive for gold.

Spot gold last traded at USD903/oz, up USD2.50 against New York close.