* Gold traders await U.S. data this week for cues
* VW emissions scandal further weighs on platinum
(Updates throughout, changes dateline from SINGAPORE)
By Clara Denina
LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Gold fell for a second session
on Monday, as the dollar stood close to a five-week high ahead
of a key U.S. jobs report later in the week, which could boost
bets the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates this year.
Platinum XPT= fell nearly 3 percent to a fresh 6-1/2 year
low of $617.25 an ounce on Monday.
It posted its biggest weekly drop since July last week on
fears that the Volkswagen (XETRA:VOWG) emissions scandal could dent demand
for diesel cars, where it is used in catalysts. ID:nL5N11T3EN
"Platinum must continue to fall in the short term because of
the lack of clarity in the Volkswagen scandal...it is a very
complicated situation involving carmakers, regulators and
governments," Societe Generale (PARIS:SOGN) analyst Robin Bhar said.
Spot gold XAU= fell 1.2 percent to $1,133.36 an ounce by
1034 GMT, extending Friday's declines made after Fed chair Janet
Yellen said she expected to begin raising rates later in 2015.
Several Fed officials are scheduled to speak this week,
keeping the focus firmly on U.S. monetary policy. Traders will
also be closely monitoring economic data, including non-farm
payrolls data due on Friday, to gauge the strength of the
economy.
Non-interest-paying gold has lost about 3 percent this year
on fears that demand could take a hit in a higher interest
rates' environment.
Data on Friday supported the view that the Fed could begin
raising rates over the next months. U.S. gross domestic product
rose at a 3.9-percent annual pace in the second quarter, up from
the 3.7 percent reported last month. ID:nL1N11V0O8
The Fed has said the timing of a rate hike would be data
dependent.
"Interest around $1,141 should continue to support gold over
the short-term, while $1,155 will provide resistance," MKS Group
said in a note.
Earlier in the month, the Fed delayed a long-anticipated
rise in U.S. rates, citing concerns over the global economy and
improving investor sentiment towards gold. Holdings in SPDR Gold
Trust, the world's top gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose
for a fourth straight session on Friday. GOL/ETF
Hedge funds and money managers raised their bullish bets in
COMEX gold futures and in the week to Sept. 22, U.S. Commodity
Futures Trading Commission data showed on Friday. ID:nL1N11V219
Palladium XPD= fell 2.2 percent to $648.47 an ounce,
following a near 10-percent jump last week, its biggest weekly
gain since December 2011. Silver XAG= fell 2.3 percent to
$14.74 an ounce.