Gold rises as dollar weakens and U.S. jobs data expected by Reuters

By Harshit Verma

(Reuters) – As the dollar fell on Thursday, investors could look to U.S. jobs data released later this week for fresh clues on the Federal Reserve’s path on interest rates.

It was up 0.3 percent at $2,030.20 an ounce by 0748 GMT. US gold futures were at $2,047.10 an ounce.

It fell 0.3 percent against rival currencies, with gold prices lower for holders of other currencies, while the 10-year yield hit a three-month low.

U.S. data released this week showed signs of a gradual slowdown in the U.S. labor market, with job openings falling to their lowest level in two-and-a-half years in October, while private sector employment rose less than expected last month.

Investors await U.S. nonfarm payrolls data to be released on Friday before the Federal Reserve updates its economic forecasts and interest rates at its fiscal policy meeting scheduled for Dec. 12-13.

“There is a widespread expectation that non-farm payrolls will be lower,” said Nicholas Vrabel, head of global corporate markets at ABC Refinery.

According to CME Group’s FeedWatch service, 60 percent of traders expect interest rates to fall by March 2024. Low interest rates support gold, which does not generate income.

For other precious metals, it was $23.87 per ounce. Platinum rose 0.5 percent to $894.03. An ounce was up 0.7 percent at $950.42.

(Prepared by Noha Zakaria for Arabian Bulletin – Editing by Salma Najm)