Gold prices saw a slight uptick on Thursday as investors looked forward to the delayed U.S. jobs report, which could offer additional clarity on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate trajectory. Spot gold rose by 0.3% to $4,092.98 per ounce, as of 0153. Gold futures in the U.S. for December delivery rose by 0.2%, hitting $4,092.70 per ounce. Investors are eagerly awaiting the release of the September U.S. non-farm payrolls report, which has been delayed due to the recent U.S. government shutdown. A survey of economists anticipates that the forthcoming report will indicate an increase of 50,000 jobs added by employers over the month.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s October meeting, released on Wednesday, showed a decrease in interest rates, even though policymakers cautioned that this action might threaten the ongoing inflation and weaken public trust in the U.S. central bank. Traders currently estimate a nearly 33% probability of a rate cut at the Federal Reserve’s meeting on December 9-10, a decrease from 49% observed on Wednesday, according to the reports. Gold, known for not generating interest, usually shows strong performance in settings marked by low interest rates and times of economic instability.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed his ongoing discontent with Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates more quickly. The dollar index held steady near a two-week high against its counterparts. A strong dollar raises the price of gold for those using other currencies. A relief rally swept across Asian markets, boosting stocks in early trading on Thursday as investors reacted favorably to Nvidia’s market-leading earnings.

SPDR Gold Trust, known as the largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund in the world, announced a rise in its holdings of 0.22%, increasing to 1,043.72 tonnes on Wednesday from 1,041.43 tonnes on Tuesday. Elsewhere, spot silver increased by 0.4% to $51.58 per ounce, platinum rose by 1% to $1,561.39, and palladium saw a gain of 1.4% to $1,399.