Gold firmed on Friday and was on track for its biggest weekly gain since June ahead of the release of US payrolls data, while purchases from jewellers and investors in Asia stirred up the physical market. Gold added $3.70 to $1,196.80 an ounce by 0558 GMT after rising on Thursday on a weaker dollar and as rising wheat prices stoked fears of inflation, boosting the metal's safe haven appeal.
The world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, said its holdings rose to 1,282.746 tonnes by August 5 from 1,281.834 tonnes on August 4 - the first gains since mid-July.