Gold Holds Steady Above $4,300 Amid Weaker Rate Hike Expectations

Gold prices remained above $4,300 an ounce on Thursday after weaker-than-expected US hiring data and easing Middle East tensions led traders to reassess their expectations for a September interest-rate increase.

The most-active Comex December contract traded at $4,301 an ounce as of 2:38 p.m. in New York, little changed from Wednesday's 4% rally and the highest level since June 17.

Bullion has climbed about 25% over the past year but remains roughly 23% below its record near $5,600 set in late January.