The precious metal closed at $1,468.50-$1,469.50, well up from Thursday's close of $1,459.00-$1,460.00.

It opened at $1,458.00-$1,459.00.

Investors were also looking to the United States where President Barack Obama is trying to pass a government spending bill, with a possible government shutdown boosting gold as it could keep Fed monetary policy easier for longer.