US gold futures ended 1.1 percent higher on Thursday, as the dollar fell and as rallies in oil and grain prices boosted gold's inflation hedge appeal. COMEX June gold futures settled up $15 or 1.1 percent at $1,439.90 an ounce. Ranged from $1,421.70 to $1,441 an ounce. Spot gold rose 0.8 percent to $1,435.10 an ounce by 3:57 pm EDT (1957 GMT).
COMEX May silver ended up 37.7 cents or 1 percent at $37.888 an ounce. Ranged from $37.375 to $37.98 an ounce. US silver was 22.5 percent higher for the first quarter. Silver gained 0.7 percent to $37.71 an ounce. NYMEX July platinum finished up $9.1 at $1,783.2 an ounce on precious metals gains. Spot platinum rose less than $1 to $1,766.49 an ounce. NYMEX June palladium closed up $9.80 or 1.3 percent at $767.90 an ounce on platinum's rise. Spot palladium gained 1.4 percent to $762.47.