US gold futures jumped more than 1 percent on Wednesday, rising above $940 an ounce on a combination of a weaker dollar, technical support and inflation-hedge buying amid economic optimism. Gold for June delivery settled up $10.70, or 1.2 percent, at $937.40 an ounce on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
GOLD: COMEX estimated 1 pm EDT (1700 GMT) volume at 109,901 lots. COMEX gold open interest up 2,300 at 367,931 lots as of May 19. Spot gold traded at $938.15 an ounce at 2:20 pm EDT (1820 GMT), up 1.5 percent from its late Tuesday quote in New York.London gold fix $939.50 an ounce.
SILVER: COMEX July silver ended up 15.50 cents, or 1.1 percent, at $14.280 an ounce, taking direction from the gold market.COMEX estimated 1 pm volume at 15,549 lots. Spot silver was at $14.28 an ounce, up 0.9 percent from its previous finish.
PLATINUM: NYMEX July platinum finished up 30 cents at $1,145.40 an ounce as US President Barack Obama's long-term goal of cleaner auto emissions boosted platinum's appeal as an auto catalytic converter to clean exhaust fumes. Spot platinum at $1,145 an ounce, up 0.7 percent from its late Friday quote.
PALLADIUM: June palladium closed up $1.75 at $235.85 an ounce, tracking platinum's gains. Spot palladium was at $231.50 an ounce, unchanged from its previous finish.