On Friday, gold prices stayed within a narrow range as markets braced themselves for nonfarm payrolls data that is likely to influence monetary policy. The yellow metal was also on track to post weekly losses as markets began pricing in higher interest rates.

Spot gold muted at $1,830.06 per ounce while gold futures were flat at $1,835.25 per ounce.

The two main gauges edged up around 0.9% on Thursday.

The reading sparked some wagers that, after exceeding expectations for 10 straight months, the nonfarm payrolls data due later today will show some indications of cooling in February. Experts anticipate a significant decline in payrolls from the previous month.

In terms of industrial metals, copper prices increased on Friday but were expected to decline for the week as worries about rising interest rates were exacerbated by disappointing Chinese economic data.

Copper future prices surged by 0.1% to $4.0113 a pound and are projected to fall by 1.4% this week.