New York gold futures ended higher for a fourth straight day on Thursday as market optimism and recent positive U.S. economic indicators boosted bullion's appeal as a hedge against inflation. For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/]. GOLD * Gold for June delivery GCM9 settled up $4.50 at $915.50 an ounce on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. * Ranged from $908.90 to $926.50. * June futures supported as dollar hit a one-month low against the euro after the European Central Bank's plan for a modest asset-buying policy encouraged risk taking. [USD/] * Gold's recent strength was driven by reflation trade as economic fears subsided and commodity prices rose sharply in response to aggressive money creation by central banks - fund managers. * Initial gains in gold futures fizzled on Thursday as fund managers sold gold together with stocks - George Gero, vice president of RBC Capital Markets Global Futures. * Nervous investors poured money into gold as a safe-haven investment ahead of the official release of results of stress tests on 19 large U.S. banks later on Thursday - traders. * Gold buying seen ahead of U.S. April nonfarm payrolls data due on Friday - Gero. * U.S. crude futures rose to a 2009 high above $58 a barrel, suggesting economic activity may be picking up and boosting gold's appeal as a hedge against inflation - analysts. * COMEX estimated final volume at 143,602 lots. * Gold/oil ratio fell to 16.13 from 16.22 the previous session. * Spot gold traded at $911.05 an ounce at 3:11 p.m. EDT (1911 GMT), up 0.1 percent from its late Wednesday quote in New York. * The London afternoon gold fix was $912.25 an ounce. SILVER * COMEX July silver SIN9 ended up 32.00 cents, or 2.3 percent, at $14.030 an ounce, tracking gold's gains. * Ranged from $13.670 to $14.150. * COMEX estimated final volume at 25,287 lots. * Spot silver was at $13.90 an ounce, up 1.5 percent from its previous finish. * The London silver fix at $14.010 an ounce. PLATINUM * NYMEX July platinum PLN9 finished up $14.20, or 1.2 percent, at $1,157.30 an ounce as optimism about a swift economic recovery boosted autocatalyst demand. * Spot platinum at $1,145.00 an ounce, up 1 percent from its late Tuesday quote. PALLADIUM * June palladium PAM9 closed up $13.65, or 6.0 percent, at $241.70 an ounce as better market outlook triggered pent-up buying. * Spot palladium was at $235.00 an ounce, up 3.8 percent from its previous finish.

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