monsitj/iStock via Getty Images Gold finished the week flat in volatile trading, after surging early in the week to its second-highest all-time settlement as fears surged over Middle East hostilities following Iran's ballistic missiles attack on Israel. On Friday, gold futures fell after a stronger than expected U.S. jobs report that suggested a soft landing for the economy may be achieved after the Federal Reserve's campaign against inflation but dampened expectations for an aggressive rate cut from the Federal Reserve next month, which lifted the dollar index to a seven-week high. \"The combination of a stronger dollar and a positive labor market could create an environment where gold may struggle to move beyond its current range,\" George Pavel of Capex.com wrote. Front-month Comex gold (XAUUSD:CUR) for October delivery finished the week nearly flat after ending Friday's session -0.4% to $2,645.80/oz, while front-month October silver (XAGUSD:CUR) settled 1.9% higher for the week and -0.2% on Friday to $32.128/oz. ETFs: (NYSEARCA:GLD), (NYSEARCA:GDX), (GDXJ), (IAU), (NUGT), (PHYS), (GLDM), (AAAU), (SGOL), (BAR), (OUNZ), (SLV), (PSLV), (SIVR), (SIL), (SILJ) \"Gold is holding up for one reason and one reason only: the risk of a weekend event in the Middle East,\" Saxo Bank's Ole Hansen said. While gold has been supported by generally elevated geopolitical tensions, it is experiencing increased bullish volatility due to a heightened sense of worry on concerns that Iran could be drawn further into the Middle East conflict, according to Jesse Columbo of the BubbleBubble report. \"Nobody wants to be short gold ahead of the weekend,\" Colombo said.