James HesterReuters – Gold eased on Friday, putting it on track for a third consecutive weekly fall ahead of US employment data later that could influence the pace of US interest rate rises.
Gold this week broke below a recent trading range and tumbled through technical levels to its lowest since July as progress on US tax reform fuelled optimism about the US economy and boosted the dollar.
“You can put it down to the strength of the dollar and the ebullience of investors regarding equities and all things risk-on,” said ETF Securities analyst Martin Arnold.
“When in such a positive mindset investors don't look for defensive assets like gold.”
Dollar boost
The dollar was given an extra boost on Friday after a funding bill eased fears of a US government shutdown this month. A stronger dollar makes bullion more expensive for holders of other currencies and can dampen demand.
Spot gold was down 0.26% at $1,245.66 an ounce at 1255 GMT, close to Thursday's low of $1243.71, the weakest since July 26. It had fallen nearly 3% this week, its third consecutive weekly fall and the biggest.
Selling was triggered after gold broke below $1,260, the bottom of its trading range since September, and plunged below its 200-day moving average for the first time since July.