Gold traded lower as investors puzzled over the latest economic data from the US.
Non-farm payroll figures, which show the number of jobs created in a month, showed 223,000 jobs were created in June, 10,000 shy of analysts’ predictions.
Meanwhile, last month’s bumper figure of 280,000 was revised down to 254,000, pointing to a weaker economy than first thought.
Economists suggested June’s number may persuade the Federal Reserve, which has said it will only raise interest rates based on data, to put off a hike until the end of the year.
The US economy has created at least 200,000 jobs in 13 of the last 15 months and the gains in hiring have been widespread.
David Madden at spread betting firm IG said: “The message to take away from the report is that the US jobs market was a touch softer in June, but an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve is still a reasonable possibility this year.”
Gold initially sold off, but regained its lost ground somewhat as traders realised the unemployment number wasn’t as strong as initially suspected.
The metal was trading US$3 lower at US$1,163.
Elsewhere, silver gained 0.3% to US$15.63 while platinum gained US$1.50 to US$1,083.
Major Movers
Fresnillo up 5.5p to 696p
Anglo American up 16p to 926p
Randgold Resources up 30p to 4,245p