Gold extends gains on weak jobs data, lower oil prices

Gold prices extended gains on Thursday, after hitting a more than one-week high in the previous session, as investors took stock of softer-than-expected jobs ​data, while lower oil prices lent additional support to bullion. Spot ‌gold rose 0.8% to $4,063.56 per ounce, as of 0103 GMT, after rising to as much as $4,114.99 per ounce on Wednesday, its highest level since June 23. US gold futures ​for August delivery inched 0.2% lower to $4,075.60. Private employment rose by 98,000 ​jobs last month after an unrevised 122,000 advance in May, the ⁠ADP national employment report showed. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast private ​employment increasing by 118,000. Oil prices fell after Iran and the United States ​concluded a round of indirect talks on Wednesday, focused on the Strait of Hormuz, but made little headway toward a lasting peace.