Gold edged higher in early Friday trading but remained down more than 2% for the week and headed for a third consecutive weekly decline as rising oil costs, higher Treasury yields and inflation concerns strengthened expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike at its September 15-16 meeting. Spot bullion was quoted at $4,324.79 an ounce by 0020 GMT and at $4,318.48 in early Singapore trading after falling 1.8% on Thursday, while investors awaited US consumer-price data. Brent crude remained above $100 a barrel despite a modest retreat, as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping routes heightened concern about energy-driven inflation. Swaps traders priced roughly a 70% probability of a rate increase, while investment demand remained strong: physically backed gold exchange-traded funds attracted $18 billion in August, lifting holdings to a record 4,189 tonnes.