US gold futures ended higher on Thursday for a seventh straight session as a weaker dollar and soaring grain prices boosted the metal's investment appeal. COMEX December gold futures settled up $3.40 at $1,199.30 an ounce on the COMEX division of the NYMEX.
Ranged $1,192.00 to $1,202.80 an ounce. Weakening of the dollar beginning to work in favour of gold recently - James Steel at HSBC. COMEX estimated final volume at a quiet 78,849 lots. Spot gold at $1,195.55 an ounce at 3:27 pm EDT (1927 GMT), versus the previous session's late quote at $1,194.60 an ounce.
COMEX September silver ends up 4.30 cents at $18.321 an ounce, as the market still looks for a firm direction ahead of Friday's nonfarm payrolls data. Ranged $18.185 to $18.48 an ounce. COMEX estimated final volume at 23,221 lots. Spot silver at $18.32 an ounce, compared with $18.25 late in the previous session. NYMEX October platinum finishes down $13.70 at $1,572.50 an ounce as investors lock in profits. Spot platinum at $1,569.50 an ounce. September palladium closes down $4.10 at $496.05 an ounce, tracking platinum. Spot palladium at $496 an ounce.