Gold Pauses Record Rally Ahead of US Jobs Data

GOLD - SINGAPORE. Gold inched lower on Friday, snapping a record-setting rally as focus shifted to U.S. non-farm payrolls data that could offer more clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy trajectory.

Spot gold was down 0.1% at $2,290.29 per ounce, as of 0748 GMT, after hitting a record high of $2,305.04 on Thursday. U.S. gold futures lost 0.1% to $2,309.50.

"Gold will continue to rally with normal pullbacks," ACY Securities analyst Luca Santos said.

The dollar's decline, expectations the Fed will cut rates this year, economic uncertainty and rising tensions in the Middle East have been driving forces for the markets and much more for gold, Santos said.

Gold was set for a third straight weekly gain, up 2.5%, driven by strong central bank buying and demand from funds.

"Gold trades in overbought territory," said InProved precious metals trader Hugo Pascal, adding that he sees a high probability of a correction in the coming days, with $2,250 as the first target.

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Focus is now on the U.S. March non-farm payrolls (NFP) data due at 1230 GMT, which could shed more light on the timing of the Fed's first rate cut.

"A stronger NFP will put pressure on the metal complex, indicating rising inflationary pressures," Pascal said.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has reiterated that the U.S. central bank has time to deliberate over its first rate cut, given the strength of the economy and recent high inflation readings.

Traders are currently pricing in an about 65% chance that the Fed will cut rates in June, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding bullion.

Elsewhere, spot silver fell 0.6% to $26.78 per ounce, after hitting its highest since June 2021 on Thursday. Platinum rose 0.1% at $926.65. Both were on track for a weekly rise.

Palladium lost 1.1% at $1,009.39.