CHICAGO, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Friday as the U.S. dollar weakened.
The most active gold contract for April delivery rose 14.10 U.S. dollars, or 0.77 percent, to close at 1,854.60 dollars per ounce.
Gold rose over 2 percent for the week.
Investors are also reacting to comments from Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller made after the market closed on Thursday. Waller said: "inflation is not coming down as fast as I had thought," signaling he would be open to an even higher rate hike if price pressures do not ease more rapidly.
Economic data released on Friday were mixed. The Institute for Supply Management's services purchasing managers' index (PMI) registered at 55.1 percent in February, a 0.1-percentage point decrease compared to the January reading of 55.2 percent.
The S&P Global U.S. Services PMI index rose to 50.6 in February from 46.8 in January. This is the highest reading since June and exceeds the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction.
Silver for May delivery rose 33.70 cents, or 1.61 percent, to close at 21.238 dollars per ounce. Platinum for April delivery rose 16.20 dollars, or 1.68 percent, to close at 979.40 dollars per ounce.
