Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange slipped on Thursday as private sector job data pushed up U.S. dollar amid higher expectations for further interest hike in June.

The most active gold contract for August delivery went down 5.3 dollars, or 0.42 percent, to settle at 1,270.10 dollars per ounce.

According to date released on Thursday, U.S. private employers added 253,000 jobs in May, an indication of better-than-expected performance of the economy.

This strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will again raise its key interest rate during its June meeting, which in turn pushed up the value of the U.S. dollar.

The U.S. dollar index rose 0.33 percent to 97.17 as of 1646 GMT. The index is a measure of the dollar against a basket of other major currencies. When the dollar goes up, gold futures will go down.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 75.99 points, or 0.36 percent as of 1656 GMT. When equities post gains, gold futures usually fall.

As for other precious metals, silver for July delivery went down 12.5 cents, or 0.72 percent, to close at 17.281 dollars per ounce. Platinum for July delivery slid 21.3 dollars, or 2.24 percent, to settle at 929 dollars per ounce.