Gold erased gains as traders weighed the prospect of an imminent end to the US government shutdown and weak jobs data. The record-setting 42-day closure is on a path to end after the Senate passed a temporary funding measure backed by a group of eight centrist Democrats. Reopening the government now depends on the Republican-controlled House, which plans to return to Washington Wednesday. Meanwhile, US companies shed 11,250 jobs per week on average in the four weeks ended Oct. 25, according to data released Tuesday by ADP Research. The figures suggest the labor market slowed in the second half of October. Traders ... (full story)