Gold eases as robust US payrolls boost rate-hike bets; inflation data in focus
Gold prices nudged lower on Monday as strong US jobs data reinforced expectations for higher interest rates, while market participants awaited key US inflation prints due later this week for further clarity on the Federal Reserve’s policy path. Spot gold was down 0.5% at $4,405.47 per ounce, as of 0211 GMT, after falling 1% on Friday. US gold futures for December delivery were down 0.5% at $4,452.20. Data on Friday showed US job growth accelerated sharply in August while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, suggesting an improvement in the labour market after recent struggles and keeping a rate increase this month on the table.