KARACHI: Yellow metal traded slightly in upper bracket as investors made deals on Gold Futures’ speculations and anticipating improving in future demand, gold traders said. Traders were keen to take new positions ahead of some improvement in USA economic sectors, precious metals analyst Humayoon Ahmad Mani said. Spot gold was quoted at $1,178 an ounce, compared with $1,172 late on Thursday, when it dropped nearly $3 in volatile trade. On the recent correction, gold prices are forecast to rise across the remainder of 2016 and further in 2017, traders opined. The improved demand of yellow metal in international and domestic markets and upward correction forced buyers to consolidate their long positions by making forward deals. Gold price was still within the reach of buyers in international and domestic markets during trading session. Domestic bullion price also witnessed same trend. Gold in tola term closed at Rs 46,252 with a gain of Rs 241 while in grammage value, gold closed at Rs 39,696 per ten grams, up by Rs 207 a gram, traders said. Leading buyers and hedgers in markets have control over gold futures while improvement in future output on cards. Traders remained busy in making forward deals. The future market would get more strength in coming days on back of hedging by speculators. The general buyers remained on sidelines anticipating easing in price in coming days on dollar-rupee parity. Buyers made deals according to their immediate needs. Local trading in gold remained dull on back of insignificant buying.