Gold prices advanced marginally in Asian trade Thursday ahead of a key US jobs data.

Gold for immediate delivery was seen trading at $1246.01 an ounce at 12.00 noon Singapore time while U.S. gold futures for December delivery were little changed at $1,248.03 an ounce on the comex division of Nymex.

Analysts said the precious yellow metal is likely to retain momentum during the day as global economic prospects remain shaky as expected payroll data likely to show a still grim job market in the U.S. and spur safe-haven demand in gold.

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Meanwhile Holdings in both SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Silver Trust both continued rising, showing growing interest from investors.

Holdings in the world's largest gold-backed, exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, rose 1.52 tonnes to 1,304.028 tonnes on September 1, from 1,302.508 tonnes on August 31. The holdings had been rising for the past week.

The world's largest silver-backed exchange-traded fund, the iShares Silver Trust, said its holdings rose 53.27 tonnes to 9,280.40 tonnes on September 1 from a day earlier.

On Wednesday, Gold futures for December delivery settles at $1248.10 on the Comex in New York while spot gold gained $2.5, or 0.2 percent, to close at $1,246 an ounce.

India Gold