US gold futures ended higher for a second day on Tuesday on rallying oil prices and as deepening worries over the severity of the European debt crisis prompted safe-haven buying. Benchmark COMEX February gold futures settled up $10.2 at $1,384.30 an ounce on the COMEX division of the NYMEX. Ranged from $1,372.40 to $1,386.80 an ounce.
COMEX gold futures volume rose more than 5 percent above its 30-day average, according to preliminary Reuters data. Spot gold gained 0.6 percent to $1,382.90 by 3:12 pm EST (2012 GMT)
COMEX March silver ended up 63.8 cents or 2.2 percent at $29.499 an ounce on a broad precious metals rally. Ranged between $29.06 and $29.71. COMEX estimated silver futures volume was about 25 percent lower, preliminary Reuters data showed. Silver rose for a second session, up 1.7 percent on the day at $29.54 an ounce. NYMEX April platinum finished up $25.2 or 1.4 percent at $1,770.30 an ounce on improving demand expectations after encouraging US auto sales data. Spot platinum rose for a fourth consecutive day, up 1.6 percent at $1,765.50 an ounce. NYMEX March palladium closed up $34.10 or 4.6 percent at $783.75 an ounce on strong market fundamentals. Spot palladium rose 4 percent, up for a second day, to $780.