Gold prices rose on Thursday, on track for the second straight daily gain and continued to consolidate above the $1,800 psychological barrier, as the US dollar fell against its peers.

Gold prices rose 0.2% to $1,814.91 an ounce, after opening at $1,812.09, and hit a high at $1,808.41.

Gold closed higher by 0.1% yesterday, the first gain in 4 days, after it jumped by 1.2% after very weak data on the US private sector jobs during July, but gold quickly pared most of these gains after a statement by the Fed Vice Chair.

Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Richard Clarida said he believes that the necessary conditions for raising the target range for the federal funds rate will have been met by late 2022, which paves the way for an interest rates liftoff in early 2023.

The dollar index fell 0.2% today, to head for the first loss in 3 days against a majority of rivals, which lifts demand for dollar-denominated metal prices. 

The greenback is falling due to disappointing private jobs data, which raised doubts about the strength of the US labor market and the impact the coronavirus pandemic.

Gold stocks at the SPDR ETF remained unchanged yesterday, with the total at the lowest level since July 26 at 1,027.97 metric tonnes.

USD/JPY tilted higher in Asian trade off May 25 lows for another session amid a lack of data from Japan and ahead of US data later today, including speeches by Fed officials. 

As of 06:52 GMT, USD/JPY rose 0.17% to 109.67, with an intraday high at 109.72. 

From the US, unemployment claims for the week ending July 31 are expected down 18 thousand to 382 thousand, while continuing claims for the week ending July 24 are expected down 9 thousand to 3.26 million. 

US goods trade deficit is expected up to $74.2 billion from $71.2 billion in May, while Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller is due to speak about central bank digital currencies at a webinar hosted by the American Enterprise Institute.

The US dollar rose against most of its major peers on Wednesday, and got rid of its early losses after the release of upbeat US data.

ADP data showed that the US private sector has added 330K new jobs in July, beating forecasts of 695K new jobs.

The US Department of Labor will release on Friday the monthly jobs report for July.

While the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that the US services PMI grew to 64.1 points in July from 60.1 points, beating forecasts of 60.5 points.

Efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic are continuing around the world, especially after the new highly transmissible delta strain emerged in some countries.

The dollar index rose against a basket of major currencies by 0.2% to 92.2 points as of 18:44 GMT, after hitting a high of 92.3 points and a low of 91.8 points.

Gold prices held on Wednesday, as the US dollar rose against most of its major peers after the release of key US data.

ADP data showed that the US private sector has added 330K new jobs in July, beating forecasts of 695K new jobs.

The US Department of Labor will release on Friday the monthly jobs report for July.

While the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that the US services PMI grew to 64.1 points in July from 60.1 points, beating forecasts of 60.5 points.

The dollar index rose against a basket of major currencies by 0.2% to 92.2 points as of 18:48 GMT, after hitting a high of 92.3 points and a low of 91.8 points.

Gold spot prices held at $1,813.6 an ounce as of 18:48 GMT, with a day high of $1,835.9, and a low of $1,808.3.