U.S. jobs

Precious metals advanced Thursday as disappointed U.S jobs data coupled with Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke speech yesterday have left investors nervous and fleeing out of the U.S dollar.

Spot gold fell briefly in early European trade to its lowest level in 2 weeks of $1631, despite the somewhat successful Spanish bond auction and the poor U.S jobs data.

Spain sold 2.541 billion euros of 2014 and 2022 bonds, beating its target of 1.5-2.5 billion euros. The 10-year bond auction bid-to-cover ratio climbed to 2.4 from 2.2, showing higher investor demand. The yield climbed to 5.78 percent from 5.4 percent previously. The EUR/USD pair soared to the 1.3150 barrier but failed to hold that after the bond sale.