Asia gold falls to 10-month low on weaker equities

Cash gold slipped 1% to its weakest in 10 months at $1,541.24 an ounce after a steep decline in equities and a disappointing US private-sector job report prompted investors to cash in bullion to cover losses.

Gold, a traditional safe haven, also failed to capitalise on tensions in the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea has moved what appears to be a mid-range Musudan missile to its east coast, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.