Gold edges lower as Fed uncertainty lingers

Gold edged lower on Monday, dragged down by uncertainty over when the US Federal Reserve will trim the massive bond-buying programme that has boosted the metal's appeal as a hedge against inflation.

Fundamentals

* Gold had fallen USD 3.32 an ounce to USD 1,387.56 by 0012 GMT. It slipped to USD 1,362.55 on Friday, its weakest since August 22, before rallying more than 1 percent on weaker-than-expected US nonfarm payrolls.

* US gold was up USD 1.30 at USD 1,387.80 an ounce.

* US employers hired fewer workers than expected in August and the jobless rate hit a 4-1/2-year low as Americans gave up the search for work, complicating the Fed's decision on whether to scale back its monetary stimulus this month.

* But comments from Fed officials suggested the tapering plan is still on track. Esther George, the Kansas City Fed's consistently hawkish leader said she favoured trimming the bond-buying programme. Chicago Fed President Charles Evans said he could be swayed towards a pullback.