Gold prices were little changed early on Thursday as the dollar held firm on strong U.S. services sector growth, with markets awaiting the key U.S. non-farm payrolls report on Friday.

Fundamentals

* Spot gold was unchanged at $1,274 an ounce at 0055 GMT.

* U.S. gold futures for December delivery were flat at $1,276.90 per ounce.

* The dollar inched up against a basket of peers on Thursday after data shed more positive light on the U.S. economy, although sagging Treasury yields tempered the greenback's gains.

* The pace of growth in the U.S. services sector accelerated in September to its fastest in 12 years, led by stronger new orders and employment, according to an industry report released on Wednesday.

* U.S. companies scaled back their hiring to an 11-month low in September after two powerful hurricanes disrupted some business activities.

* Business across the euro zone grew rapidly in September as firms struggled to keep up with demand, a survey showed on Wednesday, with October looking likely to be lively as well.

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