Gold Takes Strength from U.S. Jobs Report

Gold hiked on Friday after U.S. jobs growth came in below expectations, decreasing the likelihood of an interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve this month.

U.S. non-farm payrolls increased by 151,000 in August. Consensus projections were for a rise of 180,000.

Spot gold jumped to a session high of $1,328.73 U.S. after the non-farm payrolls data, and was up 0.5% at $1,319.64 U.S. an ounce. U.S. gold was up 0.5% at $1,323.

It's significant because gold is highly sensitive to rising U.S. interest rates, which increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion while boosting the U.S. dollar in which it is priced. U.S. gold futures added 0.7% to $1,326.80 U.S. an ounce.

As for other metals, silver popped more than 2% after the jobs data, touching a two-week high of $19.29 U.S. at one point. Platinum rose 0.8% to $1,053.20 U.S. an ounce while palladium gained $0.84 to $669.05 U.S. an ounce.

Related Stories