US gold futures ended higher in light volume on Wednesday, partially retracing early gains, as rising crude oil and a falling dollar prompted buying of bullion as an alternative investment.
GOLD: December settled up $5.90 at $834.00 an ounce on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Range traded was $826.00 to $841.40.
SILVER: September ended down 10.5 cents at $13.470 an ounce, in a $13.400 to $13.850 range. Less liquid silver ignores gold's strength due to profit-taking. Estimated final volume 28,333 lots. Spot silver at $13.49/13.55 versus $13.56/13.64 at the Tuesday close. Silver gold fix was set at $13.76 an ounce.