NEW YORK, Aug 11 (Reuters) - U.S. gold futures ended
slightly higher in quiet trade Tuesday as the market took a
breather amid a resilient dollar, with bullion investors
focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve's policy-setting
statement.
For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/].
GOLD
* December gold GCZ9 settled up 70 cents at $947.60 an
ounce on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile
Exchange.
* Ranging from $951.90 to $943.60 an ounce -- the lowest
price since July 31.
* Gold initially weakened as dollar largely held ground
following a strong rally last Friday, boosted by strong U.S.
jobs data. [USD/]
* Strength in the dollar and bearish technical action in
precious metals last week will continue to pressure prices -
Tom Pawlicki, precious metals and energy analyst at MF Global.
* Even as a stronger U.S. currency led to a sharp fall of
gold in dollar terms, bullion prices held their ground in euro
terms - Dennis Gartman, independent investor and publisher of
the "Gartman Letter."
* Over the past several months, gold has benefited as a
hedge against a weakening dollar as investors turned to risky
assets such as stocks and away from safe-haven U.S. bonds amid
growing economic optimism.
* Investors cautious ahead of a two-day monetary policy
meeting by the U.S. Federal Reserve that kicks off Tuesday
afternoon.
* Gold/oil ratio at 13.63, higher than 13.36 from the
previous session
* COMEX estimated final gold volume at a light 50,144
lots.
* Spot gold XAU= at $945.30 an ounce at 2:40 p.m. EDT
(1840 GMT), compared with $944.65 an ounce in late New York
business on Monday.
* London afternoon gold fix XAUFIX= at $942.75 an ounce.
SILVER
* September silver SIU9 finished down 1 cent at $14.345
an ounce, tracking gold's decline.
* Ranging from $14.235 to $14.480 an ounce.
* COMEX estimated final silver volume at 28,680 lots.
* Spot silver XAG= was at $14.32 an ounce versus $14.30
an ounce in Monday's late quote.
* London silver fix XAGFIX= at $14.355 an ounce.
PLATINUM
* October platinum PLV9 ended down $5.80 at $1,245.10 an
ounce as easing worries about labor actions in top producer
South Africa provided selling pressure.
* The chief negotiator from South Africa's biggest union
said on Monday he did not see an imminent strike at state power
firm Eskom, which has offered an increased 10.5 percent wage
rise. [ID:nLA267381]
* Spot platinum XPT= at $1,239,50 versus $1,243.50.
PALLADIUM
* September palladium PAU9 closed down $1.45 at $275.15
an ounce, tracking platinum's weakness.
* Spot palladium XPD= at $272.50, against its previous
finish of $272.
Close Change Pct 2008 YTD
Chg Close Pct Chg
US gold GCZ9 947.60 0.70 0.1 884.30 7.2
US silver SIU9 14.345 -0.010 -0.1 11.295 27.0
US platinum PLV9 1245.10 -5.80 -0.5 941.50 32.2
US palladium PAU9 275.15 -1.45 -0.5 188.70 45.8
Prices at 2:40 p.m. EDT (1840 GMT)
Gold XAU= 945.35 0.70 0.1 878.200 7.6
Silver XAG= 14.32 0.02 0.1 11.30 26.7
Platinum XPT= 1239.50 -4.00 -0.3 924.50 34.1
Palladium XPD= 272.50 0.50 0.2 184.50 47.7
Gold Fix XAUFIX= 942.75 -2.25 -0.2 836.50 12.7
Silver Fix XAGFIX= 14.355 -0.115 -0.8 14.760 -2.7
Platinum Fix XPTFIX= 1247.00 0.00 0.0 1529.00 -18.4
Palladium Fix XPDFIX= 274.00 0.00 0.0 365.00 -24.9
(Reporting by Frank Tang; Editing by Walter Bagley)
