Bullions shine due to positive economic data

Lower dollar adds further glaze

Bullion metal prices ended higher at Comex on Friday, 03 August 2012 snapping a three-day losing streak after U.S. employment data showed a rebound in hiring last month and as the dollar traded weaker.

Gold for December delivery advanced $18.60, or 1.2%, to settle at $1,609.30 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The metal declined 0.5% on the week, however.

Silver for September delivery rose 81 cents, or 3%, to settle at $27.80 an ounce. Silver rose 1.1% on the week.

A strong nonfarm payroll report combined with a positive ISM Services print supported the day's gains. Nonfarm payrolls came in at 163K versus the expected 100K while nonfarm private payrolls added 172K against expectations of a 105K increase. The unemployment rate of 8.3% ticked up from its previous reading of 8.2%.

The July ISM Services index was reported at 52.6, slightly above the 52.3 expected, and up from June's 52.1 reading.

The dollar index was considerably lower on Friday At 82.45, the index ended down 1.1%.

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