Gold held steady on Friday near a two-month high, with investors turning to the safe-haven asset as the dollar remained weak and as US data on jobless claims and business conditions dented hopes for a quick return to growth.
Gold has risen about 2.6 percent this week, and traders said its upside was likely to become more limited as current prices prompt investors to take profit while wary investors halt investment in gold-backed exchange-traded funds. Spot gold was steady at $952.65 per ounce at 0242 GMT, little changed from New York's notional close of $953.40.