Although gold futures closed higher for the first time in the last three sessions, any gains realized today were fractional at best.

In lighter than usual holiday trading, gold futures are trading just above $1,200. As of 4:30 PM Eastern standard time, gold futures are up $0.30 and currently fixed at $1,200.70.

Undeniably the most important economic data to be released this month is the U.S. Labor Department’s jobs report which came out today. Economic estimates for new non-farm jobs for the month of August came in at 190,000.