Staff of Reuters Read for 2 minutes 30 JUNE (Reuters) – Investors were cautious ahead of U.S. jobs data anticipated later this week, but gold prices were set to have their worst month since November 2016 due to the US Federal Reserve’s change to a hawkish policy posture. As of 1231 GMT, spot gold was unchanged at $1,761.80 per ounce. Gold futures in the United States dipped 0.1 percent to $1,761.80. Prices were down 7.6% month over month. Gold has gained 3.2 percent for the quarter. * Governor Christopher Waller of the Federal Reserve said on Tuesday that he is “extremely positive” about the economy, and that while he declined to predict when the Fed should begin hiking interest rates, he believes it will be next year. In June, consumer confidence in the United States reached its best level in nearly two years, as rising labor market optimism and a recovering economy countered concerns about rising inflation. According to a Reuters poll, the US Labor Department’s nonfarm payrolls statistics on Friday will show a rise of 690,000 jobs this month, up from 559,000 in May. Although a Fed rate hike will increase the opportunity cost of holding bullion and reduce its allure, gold is seen as a hedge against inflation. The price of silver increased by 0.3 percent to $25.81 per ounce. Palladium rose 0.4 percent to $2,686.81, putting it on track for a fourth consecutive quarterly increase. Platinum gained 0.2 percent to $1,068.96, putting it on track for its worst quarter and month since March of last year. 0600 GMT UK GDP QQ, YY Q1 0645 GMT UK GDP QQ, YY Q1 0645 GMT UK GDP QQ, YY Q1 0645 GMT UK GDP QQ, YY Q1 0645 GMT France’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) (EU Norm) 0755 YY YY YY YY YY YY YY Unemployment in Germany has increased, yet the rate has remained stable. June 9th, 0900 (Reporting by Sumita Layek in Bengaluru; editing by Amy Caren Daniel) Read More EU HICP Flash YY June 0900 EU HICP-X F&E Flash YY June
