A shutdown would threaten the release of key data, including Friday’s payrolls report, which economists expect would show subdued jobs growth in September. A weaker greenback makes precious metals cheaper for most buyers. Weaker employment figures would bolster the case for easing by Fed officials at their next rate decision in October — a scenario that would make non-interest bearing precious metals more attractive. Gold has soared 45% this year, setting successive peaks on central-bank demand and a resumption of interest-rate cuts by the Fed. Meanwhile, gold’s precious metal peers have seen unprecedented tightness this year, exacerbating concerns about dwindling stockpiles of freely available metal in London as several years of supply deficits come to a head.