U.S. gold ends higher on economic optimism, Fed

NEW YORK, Aug 13 (Reuters) - U.S. gold futures ended higher
Thursday on signs of a global economic recovery and
follow-through buying after the Federal Reserve said it would
keep interest rates near zero, bolstering bullion's status as a
hedge against inflation

For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/].

GOLD

* December gold GCZ9 settled up $4 at $956.50 an ounce on
the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

* Ranging from $949.80 to $963.10.

* Gold rose on investment interest amid economic optimism
after data showed Germany and France returned to economic
growth in the second quarter of the year - Andy Montano,
director at ScotiaMocatta [ID:nLD514771].

* Bullion's rally supported by the fact that the Fed would
slowly phase out a program to buy $300 billion in longer-term
Treasuries by the end of October - Mihir Dange, COMEX gold
floor trader. [ID:nN1272730]

* On Wednesday, the Fed said in its policy statement that
economic conditions showed signs of leveling out but it would
likely to keep interest rates near zero for an extended
period.

* Gold market sentiment lifted by news that the Swiss
National Bank had sold 105 tonnes of gold to private investors
for 3 billion francs, completing a planned sale of a total of
250 tonnes of gold. [ID:nLD638181]

* South African gold output fell 12.2 percent in volume and
total mineral production dropped 7.3 percent in June compared
with the same month in the previous year - official data.

* COMEX estimated final volume at 66,390 lots.

* Gold/oil ratio at 13.54, higher than 13.44 from the
previous session.

* Spot gold XAU= at $953.20 at 2:15 p.m. EDT (1815 GMT),
compared with $946.05 in late New York business on Wednesday.

* London afternoon gold fix XAUFIX= at $953.50 an ounce.

SILVER

* September silver SIU9 ended up 40.2 cents, or 2.8
percent, at $14.987 an ounce, helped by copper and other
industrial metals' gains.

* Ranging from $14.505 to $15.145 an ounce.

* COMEX estimated final volume at 35,997 lots.

* Spot silver XAG= was at $14.92 an ounce versus $14.51
an ounce in Wednesday's late quote.

* London silver fix XAGFIX= at $15.070 an ounce.

PLATINUM

* October platinum PLV9 finished up $28.30, or 2.3
percent, at $1,272.70 an ounce on pent-up buying after weakness
prompted by easing supply worries.

* Spot platinum XPT= at $1,263 versus $1,238.

PALLADIUM

* September palladium PAU9 closed up $4.80, or 1.8
percent, at $278.15 an ounce, tracking platinum's gains.

* Spot palladium XPD= at $274.50, against its previous
finish of $270.

Close Change Pct 2008 YTD

Chg Close Pct Chg
US gold GCZ9 956.50 4.00 0.4 884.30 8.2
US silver SIU9 14.987 0.402 2.8 11.295 32.7
US platinum PLV9 1272.70 28.30 2.3 941.50 35.2
US palladium PAU9 278.15 4.80 1.8 188.70 47.4
Prices at 2:16 p.m. EDT (1816 GMT)
Gold XAU= 953.40 7.35 0.8 878.200 8.6
Silver XAG= 14.94 0.43 3.0 11.30 32.2
Platinum XPT= 1261.00 23.00 1.9 924.50 36.4
Palladium XPD= 274.50 4.50 1.7 184.50 48.8
Gold Fix XAUFIX= 953.50 6.25 0.7 836.50 14.0
Silver Fix XAGFIX= 15.070 0.790 5.5 14.760 2.1
Platinum Fix XPTFIX= 1264.00 0.00 0.0 1529.00 -17.3
Palladium Fix XPDFIX= 275.00 0.00 0.0 365.00 -24.7
(Reporting by Frank Tang; Editing by Walter Bagley)