Investing.com - Gold prices rebounded from two month lows on Friday as fresh concerns over tensions with North Korea pressured the dollar lower and bolstered safe haven demand for the precious metal.
Gold futures for December delivery settled up 0.48% at $1,279.26 on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, after falling as low as $1,262.80 earlier.
The dollar fell following reports on Friday that North Korea is preparing to test a long-range missile, adding to fears over a potential conflict in the region.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, was down 0.16% at 93.62 late Friday, after hitting a more than two-month high of 94.10 earlier in the session.
A weaker dollar makes gold futures, which are denominated in the U.S. currency, cheaper for foreign buyers.
The dollar earlier rose as higher than expected wage growth in the U.S. jobs report for September was seen as potentially boosting inflation.
The U.S. economy lost 33,000 jobs in September, the Labor Department reported, ending seven straight years of job growth. But the decline was driven by slower hiring due to the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
The unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, the lowest since 2001 and average hourly earnings rose 2.9% from a year earlier.
The uptick in wage inflation bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates in December.
Gold is highly sensitive to rising rates, which lift the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as bullion, while boosting the dollar, in which it is priced.
Elsewhere in precious metals trading, silver was at $16.84 a troy ounce late Friday, while platinum settled at $918.95.
Among base metals, copper ended Friday down 0.71% at $2.025 a pound.
In the week ahead, investors will be looking to Wednesday’s Fed minutes for fresh indications on the timing of the next U.S. rate hike. Friday’s U.S. data on inflation and retail sales will also be in focus.
Markets will also be eyeing a speech by ECB head Mario Draghi for fresh clues on when the central bank will shift away from its ultra-easy policy.
Ahead of the coming week, Investing.com has compiled a list of these and other significant events likely to affect the markets.
Monday, October 9
Financial markets in Japan will be closed for a holiday.
China is to publish its Caixin services PMI.
Germany is to release data on industrial production.
In Canada, markets are to remain closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Tuesday, October 10
Australia is to release data on business confidence.
The UK is to publish reports on manufacturing production and the trade balance.
Canada is to report on building permits.
Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari is to speak.
Wednesday, October 11
Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan is to speak.
Later in the day, the Fed is to publish the minutes of its latest policy meeting.
Thursday, October 12
Canada is to report on new house price inflation.
The U.S. is to release data on producer price inflation and jobless claims.
ECB President Mario Draghi is due to speak at an event in Washington. Fed Governors Jerome Powell and Lael Brainard are also to deliver remarks at the same event.
Friday, October 13
New Zealand is to publish a manufacturing index.
The Reserve Bank of Australia is to publish its financial stability review.
China is to release trade data.
The U.S. is to round up the week with reports on inflation and retail sales, as well as preliminary data on consumer sentiment.