Gold prices rose on Friday, and posted weekly gains as the US dollar fell against most of its peers.

Data showed that the US current account posted a deficit of $171 billion in the second quarter, worse than expectations of $158 billion, while the consumer confidence index rose to 78.9 points this month.

The US Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday keeping the interest unchanged, and signaled that it plans to keep it near zero until the end of 2023.

The dollar index slipped against a basket of currencies by less than 0.1% to 92.9 points as of 20:47 GMT, after hitting a high of 93.01 and a low of 92.7.

Gold December futures rose 0.6% or $12.20, to close at $1,962.1 an ounce, with 0.7% weekly gains, after hitting today's high at $1,968.2 and the low at $1,951.1.

The Canadian dollar slipped against most majors on Friday, after the release of weak economic data, and pressures on the oil market.

Data showed today that the Canada's retail sales index rose 0.6% in August, missing forecasts of 0.8%.

The core retail sales reading (excluding food and energy prices) fell 0.4%, also missing analysts' forecasts of a rise by 0.5%.

To the oil market, WTI October futures at Nymex rose 0.1% to $41 a barrel as of 18:00 GMT, after hitting a high of $41.4 and a low of $40.3.

Brent November futures fell 0.5% to $43.07 a barrel, with a high of $43.8 and a low of $42.5.    

CAD/USD fell 0.15% to 0.7589 as of 18:16 GMT, after the pair hit a high of 0.7613 and a low of 0.7575.

The energy services firm "Baker Hughes" announced today that the US crude oil drilling rigs count declined 1 rig to 179 during this week.

While the natural gas rigs rose 2 to 73 rigs, with the total of oil and gas rigs rising by 1 to 252 rigs.

Oil prices saw mixed performance on Friday, as traders parse the damage caused by Hurricane Sally and the level of demand improvement or the lack thereof.

The Saudi energy minister warned what he descried as "market gamblers" that they would "be ouching like hell."

OPEC-Plus' joint ministerial monitoring committee confirmed that there is pressure on demand due to the rising coronavirus cases and speculation of a second wave of infections.

The dollar index fell against a basket of currencies by 0.1% to 92.8 points as of 18:13 GMT, after hitting a high of 93.01 and a low of 92.7.

As of 18:10 GMT, WTI October futures at Nymex rose 0.1% to $41.01 a barrel, after hitting a high of $41.4 and a low of $40.3.

 Brent November futures fell 0.5% to $43.06 a barrel, with a high of $43.8 and a low of $42.5.