8:30a U.S. jobless claims drop 12,000 to 232,000 8:30a Four-week claims average falls by 500 to 240,500 8:34a Gold retains solid gains after economic reports 8:34a December gold up 0.6% at $1,290.60/oz. 8:48a Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index slips 0.6 point to 18.9 in August