Gold held steady on Friday, close to a seven-week high hit earlier this week, as the dollar eased to hover near multi-month lows ahead of monthly US nonfarm payrolls data due later and amid continuing US political uncertainty. Spot gold had risen 0.1 percent to $1,268.80 per ounce by 0647 GMT. It was on track to end the week almost unchanged.
US gold futures for December delivery climbed 0.1 percent to $1,275.30 per ounce. "Investors are cautious ahead of the data that's coming out of the US on Friday and that is why it's been a bit quiet," said Brian Lan, managing director at gold dealer GoldSilver Central in Singapore. Spot gold may test support at $1,264 per ounce, a break below which could cause a further loss to the next support at $1,258, according to Reuters technical analyst, Wang Tao.