CHICAGO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose moderately on Friday as the U.S. dollar retreated over weaker-than-expected jobs data.

The most active gold contract for December delivery went up 3.10 dollars, or 0.25 percent, to close at 1,223.20 dollars per ounce.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday that total non-farm payroll employment rose by 157,000 in July, and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.9 percent.

The report showed that the U.S. economy added fewer jobs in July than what economists had expected, some 190,000 new jobs.

The jobs data sent the U.S. dollar index, a gauge of the greenback against a basket of key foreign currencies, 0.12 percent lower to 94.875 at 1636 GMT.

Gold and the dollar usually move in opposite directions. When the dollar retreats, gold futures will rise as gold, priced in the dollar, becomes less expensive for investors using other currencies.

Still, gold futures suffered a fourth weekly loss in a row.

As for other precious metals, silver for September delivery went up 7.7 cents, or 0.5 percent, to close at 15.462 dollars per ounce. Platinum for October rose 8.70 dollars, or 1.05 percent, to settle at 836.90 dollars per ounce. Enditem