Gold edges lower as spotlight shifts to US jobs data

June 5 (Reuters) - Gold prices inched lower on Wednesday as the dollar firmed, while investors focussed on the U.S. non-farm payrolls report due later in the week for more cues on the Federal Reserve's rate-cut plans.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold was down 0.1% at $2,326.08 per ounce, as of 0122 GMT, after a 1% loss on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures edged down 0.1% to $2,345.80.

* The dollar index inched up 0.1%, making bullion less attractive for other currency holders.

* The dollar's relentless strength in the recent past will make way for minor weakness over the next 12 months, according to FX strategists in a Reuters poll, who generally agreed the dollar was overvalued.

* U.S. job openings fell more than expected in April, as labour market conditions soften in a manner that could help the Fed's fight against inflation.

* Investors now await the non-farm payrolls data due on Friday to gauge the U.S. economy's health and if it will deter the Fed from cutting rates in September.

* Traders are currently pricing in about a 65% chance of a rate cut in September, according to CME FedWatch tool.

* Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

* Net purchases of gold by global central banks rose to 33 metric tons in April from a revised net buying of 3 tons in March, the World Gold Council (WGC) said, signalling continuing strong appetite from the sector despite high prices for the metal.

* Swiss gold exports fell in April from March as higher supplies to India and Turkey were offset by lower deliveries to China and Hong Kong, customs data showed.

* Spot silver fell 0.1% to $29.46 per ounce, platinum was up 0.1% at $987.75.35 and palladium lost 0.4% to $911.65.

0145 China Caixin Services PMI 0750 France HCOB Serv, Comp PMIs 0755 Germany HCOB Services PMI 0755 Germany HCOB Comp Final PMI 0800 EU HCOB Serv, Comp Final PMIs 0830 UK S&P Global PMI: Comp - Output 0830 UK Reserve Assets Total 1345 US S&P Global Serv, Comp Final PMIs 1400 US ISM N-Mfg PMI (Reporting by Sherin Elizabeth Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)