CHICAGO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar strengthened.
The most active gold contract for April delivery fell 7.70 U.S. dollars, or 0.42 percent, to close at 1,842.50 dollars per ounce.
Traders are also waiting for the release of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes on Wednesday, which, market analysts hold, may be unexpectedly hawkish, thus giving a hint to the direction the Federal Reserve wants to go with continuing interest rate hikes.
The S&P Global Flash U.S. Services Business Activity Index posted 50.5 in February, up from 46.8 in January. The S&P Global Flash U.S. Manufacturing PMI posted 47.8 in February, up from 46.9 at the start of the year.
Silver for March delivery rose 17.50 cents, or 0.81 percent, to close at 21.89 dollars per ounce. Platinum for April delivery rose 27.20 dollars, or 2.95 percent, to close at 948.60 dollars per ounce.
