Gold retreated from highs

Gold prices decline after rising early in the session on the background of recovery in stock markets and data applications for unemployment in the United States .

Publish controversial U.S. macroeconomic statistics , keeping investors uncertain about the stability of economic growth. The number of jobs in the private sector in January was increased by the slowest pace since August 2013 , but the growth of non-manufacturing sector accelerated.

Recent data from the U.S. Labor Department showed that the number of applications for unemployment benefits dropped significantly last week , indicating a marked improvement in the labor market . According to the report , the seasonally adjusted number of initial claims for unemployment benefits fell for the week ending February 1 , 20 thousand , thus reaching the level of 331 thousand Many experts expect that the number of complaints dropped to 334 thousand from 348 thousand , which originally reported last week.

Now investors are waiting for coming in Friday 's official employment report in the U.S..

Activity in the physical markets decreased in the absence of Chinese buyers , who will return to work on Friday after the New Year celebration .

The cost of the April gold futures on the COMEX today rose to $ 1267.50 per ounce and then fell to $ 1252.50 per ounce.