Gold futures forged ahead modestly Friday, attempting to snap what would be a third straight down day, ahead of an important reading on the pace of inflation from the monthly jobs report coming at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
Investors will be looking for clues in the July payrolls report for the likelihood of a follow-up U.S. interest-rate hike later this year. Although data have been solid, including a 17-year low for the jobless rate previously and strong corporate earnings, the economy has offered few signs of sustained inflation—including from wages—that might hasten the Federal Reserve’s plan to tighten monetary policy.
