US gold futures rose to near a two-month high above $950 an ounce on Thursday as signs that the economy might not recover quickly prompted investors to flocked into the bullion market as a safe haven. Gold for June delivery settled up $13.80, or 1.5 percent, at $951.20 an ounce on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
GOLD: Ranged from $935.80 to $956.90 - the highest price since March 23. COMEX estimated final volume at 158,056 lots. COMEX open interest up 12,005 at 379,936 lots as of May 20. Spot gold traded at $952.50 an ounce at 2:37 pm EDT (1837 GMT), up 0.1 percent from its late Wednesday quote in New York.
SILVER: COMEX July silver finished up 16.50 cents, or 1.2 percent, at $14.445 an ounce, tracking gold's gains. Ranged from $14.090 to $14.555, the highest price since February 23. COMEX estimated final volume at 18,266 lots. Spot silver was at $14.51 an ounce, up 2.1 percent from its previous finish.
PLATINUM: NYMEX July platinum ended up $9.30 at $1,154.70 an ounce as US President Barack Obama's long-term auto emissions plan boosted platinum's appeal as an auto catalytic converter to clean exhaust fumes. Spot platinum at $1,143.00 an ounce, up a hair from its late Wednesday quote.
PALLADIUM: June palladium closed down 35 cents at $235.50 an ounce on profit-taking. Spot palladium was at $232.00 an ounce, up 0.9 percent from its previous finish.