Gold prices fell their one-month perches Friday as the U.S. dollar strengthened against a basket of currencies, lifted by non-farm payrolls data south of the border that showed a slowing in hiring last month but an increase in wages.
Experts opined that the report supported the view that the U.S. Federal Reserve will press ahead with interest rate increases this year
Spot gold was down 0.5% to $1,174.50 U.S. per ounce. The metal on Thursday hit its highest since Dec. 5 at $1,184.90.
U.S. gold futures were also down 0.5%, at $1,1784.60 U.S. per ounce.
The metal was still 2.2% higher this week, its biggest weekly rise in two months, helped by a broad weakening of the dollar earlier in the week and a retreat in U.S. bond yields.
But with markets uncertain ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, investors turned cautious after gold reached its highest since Dec. 5 at $1,184.90 U.S. on Thursday.
