Gold was trading near its highest in 2-1/2 weeks on Friday, on track for its best week in a month on weaker equities and growing hopes the US Federal Reserve would hold off on raising interest rates. Spot gold was steady at $1,317.50 an ounce by 0647 GMT, after three straight days of gains. The precious metal is up 1.2 percent for the week, having hit a peak of $1,324.40 on Thursday - its highest since March 24.