LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) - Spot gold steadied on Friday, ahead of a key U.S. employment report that is expected to show improvement in the labour market and boost optimism on prospects for the world's largest economy.
PRICES * Spot gold was bid at $1,530.71 a troy ounce at 0652 GMT from $1,531.85 late in New York on Thursday.
* Silver was at $36.38 from $36.41.
* Platinum was at $1,742.74 from $1,739.85.
* Palladium was at $781.65 from $781.55
DATA/EVENTS
* U.S. June employment report due at 1230 GMT.
* U.S. wholesale inventories for May due at 1400 GMT.
* ECI/US]
MARKET NEWS
* Euro eases against dollar, its bounce from Thursday's low stalling as investors brace for U.S. jobs data.
* Brent crude dips below $118, after sharp gains a day earlier prompted investors to book profits ahead of a key U.S. jobs report that will provide insight into the pace of economic recovery of the world's biggest oil consumer.
* Asian stocks set for their third consecutive week of gains on expectations.
* European shares set to rise for a second session, mirroring gains in Asia and on Wall Street, on expectations that U.S. jobs data will signal the economic recovery in the world's largest economy is well on track.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Holdings of the largest gold-backed exchange-traded-fund (ETF), New York's SPDR Gold Trust and that of the largest silver-backed ETF, New York's iShares Silver Trust remained unchanged from Wednesday to Thursday.
* Harmony Gold Mining, South African third largest gold miner, suspended operations at its Unisel mine in South Africa after a worker was killed in an accident.
TECHNICALS
* Spot gold is due for a correction towards $1,304 per ounce over the next four weeks, as indicated by its wave pattern.
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For Reuters Metals Production Database click on URL below http://mpd.session.rservices.com (Reporting by Pratima Desai)