* Spanish debt sales fuels risk appetite, but worries linger
    * Spot gold technical signals mixed - technicals
    * Coming up: U.S. weekly mortgage market index; 1100 GMT

 (Adds details, comments; updates prices)	
    By Rujun Shen	
    SINGAPORE, April 18 (Reuters) - Gold traded nearly flat on Wednesday after a
successful Spanish debt auction eased fears about the euro zone debt crisis, but
the upside is capped as the euro remains under pressure ahead of a longer-term
debt sale in Madrid later this week. 	
    Investors brushed off the soft U.S. industrial output and
lower-than-expected housing starts data as relief over Spain's finances and a
surprise jump in German business sentiment lifted equities and other riskier
assets.   	
    "The nervousness around the euro zone has eased a bit, which could help
stabilise the euro and support gold prices," said Shanghai CIFCO Futures analyst
Li Ning.	
    But Li added that market sentiment remained cautious ahead of a policy
meeting by the U.S. Federal Reserve next week, after comments from the Fed over
recent weeks have caused sharp price fluctuations. 	
    Adding to the cautious tone, although Spain managed to exceed the target at
Tuesday's debt auction, it was forced to pay a stiff premium compared with a
month earlier, reflecting lingering concern about the country's finances and
boding ill for a key long-term debt sale on Thursday. 	
    Spot gold was little changed at $1,649.89 per ounce by 0250 GMT,
after touching a one-week low near $1,634 in the previous session.	
    U.S. gold traded nearly flat at $1,651.	
    	
    Buying interest in Asia's physical market was muted, even as a key
gold-buying festival in India looms on the horizon. 	
    "People won't want to commit too much at this point," said Ronald Leung, a
physical dealer at Lee Cheong Gold Dealers in Hong Kong. "There is some buying
when prices fall to the $1,630-$1,640 level, but the volume shrinks when prices
rebound to $1,660-$1,670."	
    Leung said gold bar premiums in Hong Kong were stable at $1.10-$1.60 per
ounce above London prices.	
    Spot platinum gained half a percent to $1,585.44 per ounce after
falling to $1,556.50 earlier this week -- the lowest in more than two months.	
    India, the world's biggest gold consumer, may see platinum imports rise by
almost 50 percent this year to 20-22 tonnes. 	
    Spot palladium rose to a two-week high of $662.50 per ounce before
paring some gains to $660.95, up half a percent from the previous close.	
    	
     Precious metals prices 0250 GMT
  Metal             Last    Change  Pct chg  YTD pct chg    Volume
  Spot Gold        1649.89    0.91   +0.06      5.51
  Spot Silver        31.70    0.03   +0.09     14.48
  Spot Platinum    1585.44    8.31   +0.53     13.81
  Spot Palladium    660.95    3.55   +0.54      1.30
  COMEX GOLD JUN2  1651.00   -0.10   -0.01      5.37         3641
  COMEX SILVER MAY2  31.69    0.02   +0.05     13.52         1710
  Euro/Dollar       1.3109
  Dollar/Yen         81.39

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