Investing.com - Gold prices were lower on Friday after the U.S. added more jobs than expected in March, easing concerns on the health of the economy, even as hourly wages stagnant.
Comex gold futures for June delivery rose was flat at $1,294.35 an ounce by 8:59 AM ET (12:59 GMT).
The nonfarm payrolls data showed a surge in job creation last month, but average hourly earnings ticked up just 0.1%.
Although the increase is positive, the Federal Reserve closely watches earnings data for indications that the economy is strengthening, as the central bank remains concerned about growth in the U.S. and globally.
Meanwhile, trade speculation continued as the U.S. and China are reported to have made some progress on a deal.
Still, President Donald Trump indicated it would take four weeks or more to finalize an agreement. No date for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has been confirmed.
Other metals on the Comex were higher, even as gold fell.
“It is a little bit of buying underperformers and taking profits in those who did quite well over the last couple of weeks and months,” Quantitative Commodity Research analyst Peter Fertig said.
Silver futures rose 0.3% to $15.137 a troy ounce and copper futures inched up 0.1% to $2.912 a pound. Among other precious metals, platinum was up 0.7% to $910.30 while palladium slumped 0.8% to $1,322.10 an ounce.
-- Reuters contributed to this report.