The US government shutdown risk may delay the release of non-agricultural data, and gold is approaching the 3800 integer mark

Gold prices edged higher after a sixth straight week of gains as traders weighed in on a possible U.S. government shutdown that could delay key jobs data this week and could cast a shadow over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path. Spot gold opened stronger on Monday and set a new record high at $3,798 an ounce, nearing the 3,800 integer mark. Gold prices rose 2 percent last week as rising inflows into gold ETFs and heightened geopolitical tensions in countries such as Russia and Europe supported safe-haven demand. Investors will be closely watching a planned meeting Monday between top U.S. congressional leaders and President Trump. If no agreement can be reached on a short-term spending bill, federal funding expires on Tuesday. The government shutdown will threaten the release of key data, including Friday's jobs report, which analysts expect to slow in September.