CHICAGO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Thursday as the U.S. dollar fell.
The most active gold contract for December delivery rose 30.5 U.S. dollars, or 1.72 percent, to close at 1,806.9 dollars per ounce.
Gold closed at its highest finish since June 30, climbing above the key 1,800-dollar mark, as investors focused on the chances of the U.S. economy slipping into a recession, market analysts said.
U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday that U.S. initial jobless claims increased by 6,000 to 260,000 in the week ending July 30. The week ending on July 23 saw a rise in continuing requests for state benefits to 1.42 million, the highest number since early April.
Investors are also considering the odds of a pullback for the robust labor market, market analysts hold, particularly as the Federal Reserve steps up its fight against inflation at a four-decade high.
Silver for September delivery rose 22.8 cents, or 1.15 percent, to close at 20.122 dollars per ounce. Platinum for October delivery rose 36.4 dollars, or 4.1 percent, to close at 924.9 dollars per ounce.
