CHICAGO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose slightly on Friday as investors wait for the U.S. August consumer price index (CPI) due out Wednesday.
The most active gold contract for December delivery rose 20 cents, or 0.01 percent, to close at 1,942.70 U.S. dollars per ounce.
Gold posted a weekly loss of 1.2 percent.
Improved economic data and oil prices rallying to 2023 highs have triggered market worries that the Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates further or leave them elevated for longer than expected, dampening gold the whole week.
U.S. August CPI data is likely to be a key factor in the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision at its meeting later this month.
The U.S. Commerce Department reported Friday that U.S. wholesale inventories dipped by 0.2 percent in July after falling by a revised 0.7 percent in June. Meanwhile, the wholesale sales advanced 0.8 percent in July after sliding 0.8 percent in June.
Silver for December delivery fell 6.60 cents, or 0.28 percent, to close at 23.174 dollars per ounce. Platinum for October delivery fell 14.80 dollars, or 1.63 percent, to close at 894.80 dollars per ounce. ■
