Bullion remains at its highest level as market participants prepare for the release of the US Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) figures for June, a key focus for the Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate decision.
At 9.30 am, gold prices were at $3,343.93, down 0.41% since it opened in early trading on Thursday in the Asian session.
The latest ADP jobs report showed companies halted hiring in order to adjust to the current economic environment.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics will release a jobs report that is expected to show that the economy added 110,000 Americans to the workforce, down from 139,000 added in May.
The unemployment rate is forecast to rise from 4.2% to 4.3%, still within the 4.4% forecast set by the Fed in its latest Summary of Economic Projections.
Geopolitical sentiment has eased on reports of a possible 60-day ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict and peace talks with Iran. These developments have curbed the surge in gold prices, which are currently struggling to maintain their $3,400 level.
Meanwhile, market attention is focused on trade talks between the US and its allies. President Trump has insisted that there will be no extension to the July 9 deadline for reimposing higher tariffs.
A short trading week in conjunction with the US Independence Day holiday on July 4 will see important data such as Initial Jobless Claims and the NFP report released on Thursday.
