Gold prices remained high above $4,150 heading into the week, retreating slightly during Thursday's trading as the US government reopening and expectations that September jobs data will support the Federal Reserve (Fed) in setting its next rate.
At 9.30 am, gold prices were at $4,174, stable since they opened early Friday in Asian trading.
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell warned in his latest speech that the December meeting was not convincing enough for them to ease policy after the US central bank lowered borrowing costs by 25 basis points at the September meeting.
In addition, the trade tariff truce between the US-China and the US government reopening have opened a positive trend for the US dollar and have a pullback effect for gold.
Market attention is now assessing the Fed officials' speech, with San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly reaffirming her dovish stance. She felt it was too early to give a clear answer on the next rate as the Fed's mandate is seen as balanced.
However, Minneapolis Fed Neel Kashkari was hawkish, insisting that the cost of living is rising.
According to the White House, the Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) report for September will be released next week, but unemployment rate data is likely to be omitted.
