US gold futures rose to within reach of its all-time high on Wednesday, as record low US new home sales stirred talk of extended central banks' accommodative policies, and a possible collapse of Portugal's government rekindled eurozone debt worries.
COMEX April gold futures settled up $10.4 at $1,438 an ounce on the COMEX division of the NYMEX. Ranged from $1,425.80 to $1,441.20 an ounce. Spot gold rose 0.7 percent to $1,439.60 an ounce by 3:29 pm EDT (1929 GMT).
COMEX May silver finished up 92.9 cents or 2.6 percent at $37.198 an ounce, helped by strong industrial demand and short-term supply tightness. Range spanned $36.150 to $37.385 an ounce. Spot silver soared to a 31-year peak of $37.34 an ounce, surpassing its previous high set two weeks ago. It later gained 2.6 percent to $37.30 an ounce.
NYMEX April platinum ended up $20.6 or 1.2 percent at $1,760 an ounce on broad precious metal gains. Spot platinum climbed 1.4 percent to $1,756.33 an ounce. NYMEX June palladium closed up $11.45 or 1.6 percent at $749.30 an ounce on short-covering. Spot palladium gained 2 percent to $747.50.