CHICAGO, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Thursday as the U.S. dollar weakened.
The most active gold contract for August delivery rose 1.80 U.S. dollars, or 0.09 percent, to close at 1,970.70 dollars per ounce.
The U.S. Federal Reserve decided to keep key rates unchanged at its June monetary policy meeting, allowing itself time to assess additional data. The decision plunged the U.S. dollar and supported gold.
The European Central Bank lifted interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, as expected, capping gold's growth somewhat.
Economic data released Thursday are mixed. The U.S. Labor Department reported that U.S. initial jobless claims came in at 262,000 in the week ending June 10, unchanged from the previous week's revised level. Economists had expected jobless claims to dip to 249,000 from the 261,000 originally reported for the previous week.
The Federal Reserve reported that U.S. industrial production declined 0.2 percent in May from April, ending two consecutive months of increases.
The New York Federal Reserve's Empire State Index jumped to a reading of 6.6 in June from negative 31.8 in the prior month. Economists had expected a reading of negative 16.
The Philadelphia Federal Reserve's manufacturing index slipped further to a reading of negative 13.7 in June from negative 10.4 in the prior month. Economists had expected a reading of negative 14.8.
The U.S. Commerce Department reported that U.S. retail sales rose 0.3 percent from April to May, boosted by stronger sales of auto and parts dealers. Economists had been expecting a decline in sales for the month.
Silver for July delivery fell 15.80 cents, or 0.66 percent, to close at 23.947 dollars per ounce. Platinum for July delivery rose 11.90 dollars, or 1.21 percent, to close at 991.90 dollars per ounce. ■