Gold gains over 1%, US nonfarm payrolls report in spotlight

Among other metals, spot silver XAG= rose 1.2% to $66.08, platinum XPT= climbed 1% to $1,777.79 and palladium XPD= firmed 0.8% to $1,356.50.

The U.S. dollar was under pressure while U.S. Treasury yields slipped from multi-year highs. A softer dollar makes greenback-priced metals less expensive for holders of other currencies.

Key U.S. nonfarm payrolls data is due on Friday. Meanwhile, the ADP National Employment Report showed U.S. private payrolls increased moderately in August.

"The payrolls report will probably be the biggest defining moment of the week. If the jobs report misses expectations, and September rate hike bets decline, that could see gold move higher," said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive.

"If prices get over the $4,400 level they're currently in, we are going back in the direction of $4,500 and then $4,700."

Markets are currently pricing in a 62% probability of a U.S. rate hike this month, the CME FedWatch Tool showed.

U.S. economic activity increased modestly, employment rose slightly, and prices increased moderately in recent weeks, according to a mixed report published on Wednesday by the Fed that may do little to convince central bank policymakers one way or another as they weigh whether to raise interest rates at their September 15 to 16 meeting.

Gold is traditionally seen as an inflation hedge, but higher rates increase the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding asset.

On the geopolitical front, top aides to U.S. President Donald Trump are pushing to keep the Iran war from escalating before November's midterm elections to staunch Republican electoral losses, four people familiar with the discussions said. White House officials will consider ramping up military action after the November 3 vote, the sources said.