Gold futures slide as prices eye strongest weekly gain since August

Gold futures fell on Friday, on pace to halt a three session climb, as Treasury yields and U.S. benchmark stock indexes rose, but the recent run-up in the precious metal set prices up to post the best weekly advance since August.

The selloff Friday followed gold’s inability to hold above $1,800, as well as speculation surrounding the launch of Bitcoin futures possibly next week.

Bitcoin futures may prompt some short-term gold traders to shift to Bitcoin.