While a new set of bleak American data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will stop price hikes this year, the price of gold strengthened near its high level in a month on Thursday.

U.S. gold futures stabilized at $1,972.40. At 03:31 GMT, spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,945.40 per ounce. Bullion is on track for a monthly drop of nearly 1% as the US dollar targets its first monthly rise in three months and US Treasury yields are about to see their fourth consecutive monthly rise after reaching 2007 levels last week

Cash fell 0.3% to $24.59 per ounce, after reaching a high of more than a month on Wednesday. Palladium rose 0.9% to $1,232.98, but is expected to fall by 4% per month. And platinum has stabilized at $974.13 as it heads towards its second