Gold prices extended gains on Thursday, after hitting a more than one-week high in the previous session, as investors took stock of softer-than-expected jobs data, while lower oil prices lent additional support to bullion.
FUNDAMENTALS
Spot gold rose 0.8% to $4,063.56 per ounce, as of 0103 GMT, after rising to as much as $4,114.99 per ounce on Wednesday, its highest level since June 23. U.S. gold futures for August delivery inched 0.2% lower to $4,075.60.
Private employment rose by 98,000 jobs last month after an unrevised 122,000 advance in May, the ADP national employment report showed. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast private employment increasing by 118,000.
Oil prices fell after Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks on Wednesday, focused on the Strait of Hormuz, but made little headway toward a lasting peace. [O/R]
Elevated oil prices and a stronger labor market can stoke fears around inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates. While gold is traditionally seen as a hedge against inflation, it loses its appeal as a non-yielding asset in a high interest-rate environment.
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh said on Wednesday he will stick firmly to the U.S. central bank's 2% inflation target, but gave little indication about where he thinks monetary policy or the economy are headed.
Traders are pricing in roughly a 64% chance of a rate hike in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool, reflecting firming expectations of tighter monetary policy. [FEDWATCH/]
Investors are now looking out for June's nonfarm payroll data, due later today, for further clues on the Fed's monetary policy path, which could help shape near-term moves in gold.
Spot silver rose 1% to $59.76 per ounce, platinum gained 0.4% to $1,583.05, and palladium added 1.1%to $1,223.80.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT)
0900 EU Unemployment Rate May
1230 US Non-Farm Payrolls Jun
1230 US Unemployment Rate Jun
1230 US Average Earnings YY Jun
1230 US Initial Jobless Clm 27 Jun, w/e
1400 US Factory Orders MM May
