CHICAGO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar strengthened.
The most active gold contract for April delivery fell 20.1 U.S. dollars, or 1.08 percent, to close at 1,845.3 dollars per ounce.
Economic data released on Wednesday also dampened gold. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that U.S. retail sales jumped 3 percent month on month in January, the biggest increase since March 2021 and way above market forecasts of a 1.8-percent rise. U.S. retail sales dropped 1.1 percent in December.
The New York Federal Reserve's Empire State business conditions index, a gauge of manufacturing activity in the state, rose 27.1 points in February to negative 5.8. This is a rebound from a 21.7 point drop in January.
The National Association of Home Builders NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market index rose seven points to 42 in February, notching the largest monthly gain in nearly a decade outside of the rebound from the spring 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns.
The Federal Reserve reported that U.S. industrial production was unchanged in January 2023 after falling by a revised 1 percent in December, missing market expectations of a 0.5-percent increase, giving a weak support to gold.
Silver for March delivery fell 30.1 cents, or 1.38 percent, to close at 21.572 dollars per ounce. Platinum for April delivery fell 21.4 dollars, or 2.28 percent, to close at 917.8 dollars per ounce. ■