FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,915.89 per ounce by 0120 GMT, holding below its highest since Aug. 10 hit on Thursday. It has gained 1.4% for the week so far.
* U.S. gold futures fell 0.2% to $1,943.90.
* European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and U.S. Federal Reserve’s Powell are expected to speak later in the day at the annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
* Two Fed officials on Thursday tentatively welcomed a jump in bond market yields as something that could complement the central bank’s work to slow the economy and get inflation back to the 2% target, while also noting they see a good chance that no more interest rate increases will be needed.
* The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell for a second straight week. * Core inflation in Japan’s capital slowed in August for the second straight month but remained well above the central bank’s 2% target, data showed on Friday.
* SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings fell 0.10% on Thursday.
* China’s gold imports via Hong Kong fell for the third straight month in July to their lowest in six months as stalling economic recovery in the country kept demand subdued.
* In other metals, spot silver edged 0.1% higher to $24.16 per ounce and platinum gained 0.5% to $938.38. Palladium was up 0.1% at $1,240.84.
* Silver and platinum were headed for their best weeks since July 14. Palladium was set for a second straight weekly decline. DATA/EVENTS (GMT) 1400 US U Mich Sentiment Final Aug