Gold rose for a second consecutive session on Tuesday, extending the previous day's rally, as strong physical demand and a weaker dollar amid economic optimism lifted the precious metal. Spot gold was up 0.5 percent at $1,719.10 an ounce by 3:00 pm EST (2000 GMT).
US December gold futures settled up $2.60 at $1,713.40 an ounce. Volume was over 10 percent above its 30-day average, preliminary Reuters data showed, boosted by a brisk contract rollover ahead of December's first-notice day on Wednesday, traders said. In other precious metals, silver was down 0.4 percent at $31.94 an ounce. Platinum inched down 0.5 percent at $1,532.10 an ounce, while palladium was up 2 percent at $584.47 an ounce.