Gold pared gains on Friday after data showed U.S. job growth shot higher in April and stayed on track for its biggest weekly loss in six months as expectations for a U.S. interest rate hike in June grew and euro zone political risk receded
Spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,229.66 U.S. an ounce, little changed from late on Thursday and still set to end the week down 3.1%, its biggest weekly drop since November.
The shiny yellow metal hit a six-week low of $1,225.25 U.S. on Thursday after the Federal Reserve played down any threats to this year's planned rate increases, supporting forecasts of another move in June.
Gold is highly sensitive to rising U.S. interest rates, which increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion while boosting the dollar, in which it is priced.
Spot silver rose 0.1% to $16.30 U.S. after hitting a four-month low of $16.17 U.S. in the last session. The metal has fallen 10% in the second quarter.
Platinum was up 1.2% at $909.75 U.S. an ounce. Palladium gained 0.9% to $811.29 U.S. an ounce. The spread between platinum and palladium was close to its narrowest in 15 years, having dipped below $100 an ounce this week.
