Gold prices have recently dipped due to a stronger U.S. dollar, which firmed after unexpectedly strong January jobs data. According to Daily The Patriot, spot gold edged 0.3% lower to $5,065.98 per ounce by 0318 GMT, while U.S. gold futures for April delivery lost 0.2% to $5,087.30 per ounce. The U.S. dollar index rose following the employment report, suggesting underlying U.S. economic health. This development has reduced expectations for near-term interest rate cuts, as noted by Christopher Wong, a strategist at OCBC, who stated, 'The stronger jobs report leading to a slight pare back in Fed rate-cut expectations may have played a role in gold’s lacklustre move.' The U.S. job growth unexpectedly accelerated in January, with the unemployment rate falling to 4.3%, though revisions showed the economy added only 181,000 jobs in 2025 instead of the previously estimated 584,000.