Gold hovers near 1-week high ahead of US jobs data
US payrolls report due at 1230 GMT
Gold appears poised to test new highs - analyst
Palladium heads for weekly loss
Updates prices
By Ashitha Shivaprasad
Sept 6 (Reuters) -Gold prices hovered near a one-week high on Friday and were on track for weekly gains, as investors focused on U.S. jobs data that could shape the size of Federal Reserve's expected rate cut this month.
Spot gold XAU= rose 0.1% at $2,518.49 per ounce by 0742 GMT,after hitting a one-week high of $2,523.29 in the previous session. Bullion gained 0.6% for the week.
U.S. gold futures <GCcv1> firmed 0.2% to $2,548.50.
Bullion typically performs better in a low-interest-rate environment and is viewed as a safe asset during periods of uncertainty.
Bets for a 50-basis-point cut by the Fed on Sept. 18 have risen to 41% from 34% a week ago, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. The U.S. non-farm payrolls (NFP) data due at 1230 GMT could provide further clarity.
"Gold prices are likely to edge higher if the upcoming NFP report shows signs of labour market weakness, though the market could experience bouts of volatility. Prices appear poised to test new highs," said Sugandha Sachdeva, founder of SS WealthStreet, a New Delhi-based research firm.
Gold has hit record highs this year, rising about 22% so far.
It seems likely that election dynamics and rate cut expectations have increased activity in gold, as seen in options 'spreading' positioning, the World Gold Council said in a monthly report.
Data on Thursday showed that U.S. private employers hired the fewest number of workers in 3-1/2 years in August, while the number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits declined last week.
Spot silver XAG= was flat at $28.82.
"The silver market is projected to remain in deficit, with the shortfall expected to widen by 17% this year, creating a potentially bullish scenario for the metal," said Sachdeva.
Platinum XPT= gained 1.1% to $934.00. Palladium XPD= rose 0.3% to $943.78but was headed for a weekly loss.
Spot gold price in USD per oz https://reut.rs/3B1Y8Sq
Reporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips, Subhranshu Sahu and Sumana Nandy
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
