Bullion up more than 14 so far for the quarter
Silver set for fourth consecutive quarterly rise
Palladium on track for quarterly rise

Sept 30 Reuters Gold prices hovered just below last week39;s record high on Monday, with bullion set for its best quarter in more than eight years after this month39;s U.S. interest rate cut and expectations of another jumbo reduction in November.

Spot gold fell 0.2 to 2,653.00 per ounce, as of 0817 GMT, as traders locked in profits following last week39;s rally. U.S. gold futures rose 0.2 to 2,674.40.

Bullion has risen more than 14 so far this quarter, its best quarterly performance since January 2016.

On a monthly basis, gold has added 6 in September after scaling a peak of 2,685.42 last Thursday, driven by the U.S. Federal Reserve39;s 50 basis point cut, China39;s stimulus measures and escalating strife in the Middle East.

Gold still looks poised to have a potential run at 2,700 if labour market data this week aligns with the potential of another 75 basis points of easing from the Fed by yearend, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Governor Michelle Bowman are expected to deliver speeches later in the day, which could offer insights on the policy outlook.

Market is looking ahead for some risk event today, especially a slew of Federal Reserve officials speaking, said Kelvin Wong, OANDA39;s senior market analyst for Asia Pacific.

This week39;s data lineup includes U.S. ADP…