WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Gold futures climbed back above $1,300 an ounce on Friday, even though a closely-watched U.S. jobs report suggested further healing in the labor market.
The Labor Department said U.S. non-farm payroll employment rose by 192,000 jobs in March compared to economist estimates for an increase of about 200,000 jobs.
However, with the unemployment rate staying at 6.7 percent, the Federal Reserve is unlikely to budge from its present outlook on taking most of the year to wind down its massive stimulus plan.
Gold for June delivery jumped $20.50, or 1.6 percent to $1,305.10 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Prices traded around 0.9 percent higher for the week.
May silver gained 31.5 cents, 1.6 percent to $20.12 an ounce, up 1.7 percent for the week.
Expectations that the European Central Bank will offer its own brand of quantitative easing gave prices a lift this week.
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