Economists expect U.S. job growth to slow but remain healthy in 2025

Gold prices held steady after three straight days of gains as traders awaited the release of U.S. jobs data that will weigh on the Federal Reserve's policy outlook for the year. U.S. non-farm payrolls data for December is expected to show slower but still healthy job growth, which economists expect to continue in 2025. Federal Reserve officials have signaled they may hold interest rates at current levels for an extended period of time, cutting them again only if inflation cools significantly. The dollar index DXY is on track for its sixth week of gains as traders lower expectations for the Fed's first-half rate cut, while the 10-year Treasury yield is near its highest level since April last year. (Golden Ten)