US gold futures ended nearly 1 percent higher Wednesday on dollar weakness, and platinum group metals also rose sharply due to improving outlook for global auto demand. COMEX June settles up $8.80 at $1,114.50 an ounce. Range $1,103.10 to $1,119.90 - loftiest since March 19. Gold was 1.7 percent higher for the first quarter.
GOLD: COMEX gold final volume at 101,587 lots. Spot gold was at $1,112.75 at 4:05 pm EDT (2005 GMT), compared with $1,102.50 late in New York's previous session.
SILVER: COMEX May silver ends up 19.6 cents, or 1.1 percent, at $17.526 an ounce, taking its lead from gold. Range $17.255 to $17.645 - highest since March 10. Silver was 4 percent higher for the first quarter. COMEX gold final volume 31,346 lots. Spot silver at $17.48, versus $17.25 late in the prior session.
PLATINUM: July finishes up $20.80, or 1.3 percent, at $1,646.90 an ounce on optimism about recovery of auto demand. Platinum was 12 percent higher for the first quarter.