| Gold registered above $4,300 an ounce on Friday, yet is still positioned for a weekly decline exceeding 2%, encountering downward pressure from a strengthening dollar, escalating oil prices, and elevated Treasury yields that bolstered anticipation of additional Fed rate increases. The dollar index dipped below 101 but remains on track for a 1% weekly advance, trading proximate to a two-month high and targeting a second consecutive weekly gain. Unexpectedly, US jobless claims decreased by 1,000 to 197,000, underscoring persistent labor-market strength, as investors await consumer sentiment and durable goods data for additional economic indications. MCX October gold futures advanced 0.4% to Rs.151,262 per 10 grams. |