dec 10 reuters  gold prices edged higher on friday but were headed for a fourth straight weekly fall as investors kept to the sidelines ahead of key us inflation data that could influence the federal reserves next policy move  spot gold rose 01 to 177623 per ounce by 0057 gmt us gold futures gained 01 to 177860  bullion prices have fallen 04 so far in the week as investors worried higher inflation and a tightening labour market could prompt the fed to accelerate the pace of its asset purchase reductions  reduced stimulus and interest rate hikes tend to push government bond yields up raising the opportunity cost of bullion which bears no interest  the closely watched us inflation report due at 1330 gmt is expected to show the consumer price index likely rose 07 in november from the previous month according to a reuters poll  us jobless claims dropped to their lowest level in more than 52 years last week as labour market conditions continued to tighten amid an acute shortage of workers read more  european central bank policymakers are homing in on a temporary increase in the regular bond purchase scheme that would still significantly reduce overall debt buys once a much larger pandemicfighting scheme ends in march sources told reuters read more  south africas gold output was down 35 yearonyear in october compared to a revised 56 fall in september statistics south africa said on thursday platinum group metals production was up 24 yearonyear in october  spot silver rose 02 to 2197 an ounce but was headed for a fourth consecutive weekly drop  platinum climbed 03 to 93707 en route to its first weekly rise in four palladium fell 02 to 180940 reporting by nakul iyer in bengaluru editing by subhranshu sahu