After weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data raised hopes of interest rate cuts as early as September, and market attention is now focused on Friday's non-farm employment data, gold prices have stayed& Steady near a two-week high on Thursday

Spot gold rose 0.1% to $2,358.19 per ounce at 9:53 ET (13:53 GMT), after prices hit their highest level since June 21 on Wednesday. Most American markets were closed on Thursday for the Independence Day holiday. Gold prices rose by more than 1% in the previous session after the release of a disappointing services report and ADP's employment report on Wednesday, which showed a slowdown in the US economy. Lower rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-productive gold.

Cash fell 0.2% to $30.409 while platinum rose 1.6% to $1,012.50. Palladium fell 0.5% to $1,024.66, after reaching the highest level since mid-April during the previous session