Spot gold was little changed at $4,184.45 per ounce and was down ​more than 2% for the week so far

Gold was flat on Friday but remained on track for ​a second straight weekly decline, pressured by a firmer US dollar and higher Treasury yields, as investors awaited key US payrolls data for clues on the central bank’s policy path.

Spot gold was little changed at $4,184.45 per ounce by 0419 GMT and was down ​more than 2% for the week so far. US gold futures gained ​0.3% to $4,214.70.

The US dollar headed for a weekly gain, making dollar-priced metals ⁠more expensive for holders of other currencies, while yields on 10- and 30-year ​Treasuries hit their highest levels since 2002 on Thursday.

Market participants are watching US interest ​rate expectations and geopolitical developments in the Middle East, said Kyle Rodda, senior financial market analyst at Capital.com.

US nonfarm payroll data will be critical for rate expectations. If it comes in hot, ​it may increase the chances of rate hikes from the Fed. That would potentially ​weigh even further on gold prices, Rodda said.

Two central bank policymakers this week staked out an unusually clear case for taking ⁠in more data before deciding about another rate hike.

The September US nonfarm payrolls report is due at 1230 GMT. Data on Wednesday showed US inflation increased less than expected in August and price pressures were more moderate in the prior month than previously ​reported.

Traders are pricing in ​only about a ⁠28% chance of a rate hike this month, versus about 70% earlier in the week. They still see an 82% chance ​of a rate increase in December.

Higher borrowing costs typically diminish ​gold’s attractiveness, ⁠given that it pays no interest.