CHICAGO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Monday ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting.
The most active gold contract for April delivery rose 2.80 U.S. dollars, or 0.13 percent, to close at 2,164.30 dollars per ounce.
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) monetary policy meeting will begin Tuesday morning and end Wednesday afternoon with a statement and a press conference from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. No change in policy is expected, but as always the market will parse the statement and Powell's words for clues on the future path and timing of monetary policy.
The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index of Builder Confidence rose to 51 in March from an unrevised 48 in February.
Silver for May delivery fell 11.60 cents, or 0.46 percent, to close at 25.265 dollars per ounce. Platinum for April delivery fell 22.30 dollars, or 2.36 percent, to close at 921.20 dollars per ounce.
