Gold climbs

Bengaluru : Gold prices edged up, supported by a weaker dollar amid worries about a possible U.S. government shutdown, but the precious metal was still on track for its first weekly drop in six weeks.

Spot gold was up 0.3 percent at $1,331.10 an ounce by 0324 GMT. Gold on Thursday touched its weakest level since Jan. 12 at $1,323.70, having fallen from recent four-month highs. Spot gold has fallen 0.5 percent so far this week, its worst since the week-ending Dec. 8. U.S. gold futures were up 0.3 percent at $1,331.40. The U.S. dollar fell amid worries over a possible U.S. government shutdown.

The dollar index was down 0.1 percent at 90.394 on Friday.

Legislation to avoid a U.S. government shutdown at midnight on Friday advanced in Congress, as the House of Representatives on Thursday night approved an extension of federal funds through Feb. 16, although the bill faced uncertain prospects in the Senate.