Gold prices held close to a two-week high on Monday after weaker-than-expected US employment data reduced expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in the near term.
Spot gold was steady at $4,175.02 per ounce, after posting gains of more than 2% last week, marking its strongest weekly performance following four consecutive weeks of declines.
Meanwhile, US gold futures for August delivery climbed 1.5% to $4,186.80 per ounce.
Market sentiment shifted after data released on Thursday showed a sharp slowdown in US job growth during June, while employment figures for the previous two months were revised lower.
The softer labour market data prompted investors to scale back expectations of a near-term Federal Reserve interest rate hike, providing support for gold prices.
