Gold and silver edged lower on February 12 after the US dollar strengthened on the back of better-than-expected January jobs data. The upbeat labour numbers reduced expectations of an early Federal Reserve rate cut, prompting profit booking in bullion ahead of key US inflation data due on Friday.
A firmer dollar makes dollar-priced metals more expensive for holders of other currencies, typically weighing on demand.
Spot gold fell 0.4 percent to $5,058.64 (₹4,20,000 approx) per ounce, after rising more than 1 percent in the previous session.
US gold futures (April) slipped 0.3 percent to $5,080 (₹4,21,800 approx) per ounce.
Spot silver declined 1.4 percent to $82.87 (₹6,880 approx) per ounce, following a sharp 4 percent rally on Wednesday.
Platinum dropped 1 percent to $2,110.63 (₹1,75,200 approx) per ounce.
Palladium gained 0.4 percent to $1,707.17 (₹1,41,700 approx) per ounce.
The US dollar index extended gains after data showed January job growth accelerated.
The unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent, signalling labour market resilience.
Stronger data lowered the probability of near-term rate cuts by the Fed.
However, revisions offered a note of caution:
While January saw the biggest payroll increase in 13 months, revised figures showed the economy added 1,81,000 jobs in 2025, sharply lower than the previously estimated 5,84,000.
The Fed is likely to hold rates steady through Chair Jerome Powell’s term ending in May.
Economists expect a rate cut in June.
Some analysts warn policy under his likely successor, Kevin Warsh, could turn looser.
