Oct 2 (Reuters) - Gold prices were on track for their best week in nearly two months as renewed hopes for a new round of fiscal stimulus from Washington cheered investors, despite a slight easing on the day due to an uptick in the U.S. dollar.
FUNDAMENTALS
* Spot gold XAU= was down 0.2% at $1,901.98 per ounce by 0034 GMT on Friday, after rising 1% to a 1-1/2-week high of $1,911.66 in the previous session.
* Gold has gained more than 2% so far this week, its biggest weekly percentage gain since week ended Aug. 7.
* U.S. gold futures GCv1 were down 0.4% at $1,909.20.
* The dollar index .DXY rose 0.1% against its rivals, making gold more expensive for holders of other currencies. USD/
* The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell last week but remained at recession levels, while personal income dropped in August, underscoring the need for another government rescue package for businesses and the unemployed. The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a $2.2 trillion Democratic plan for fresh relief from the coronavirus pandemic, though objections from the White House and top Republicans are likely to doom it in the Senate. Asian markets were little changed on Friday, as a U.S. stimulus deal remained out of reach and investors waited on fresh U.S. employment data for a read on the economic toll from the pandemic. MKTS/GLOB
* President Donald Trump's re-election campaign on Thursday rejected calls for new rules to govern the next two debates between him and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, after a first matchup marred by constant interruptions and outbursts. Silver XAG= dropped 0.7% to $23.72 per ounce, platinum XPT= fell 0.4% to $892.22 and palladium XPD= eased 0.2% to $2,310.77.
DATA/EVENTS (GMT) 0130 Australia Retail Sales MM
Aug 1230 US
Non-Farm Payrolls
Sept 1230 US
Unemployment Rate
Sept 1230 US
Average Earnings YY
Sept 1400 US
Factor Orders MM
Aug 1400 US
U Mich Sentiment Final Sept