CHICAGO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange kept almost unchanged on Monday after much better-than-expected housing data fueled investors' hopes for the economy recovery. Silver and platinum both gained.
Gold price for August delivery rose 40 cents to finish at 953.50 U.S. dollars an ounce.
The U.S. new home sales in June saw the fastest increase in almost nine years as buyers took advantage of bargain prices and low interest rates.
According a report released by the Commerce Department, new home sales rose 11 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000, from an upwardly revised May rate of 346,000.
The unexpected data provided a new signal that the housing market is stabilizing, which is considered to reduce gold's appeal of safe-haven as investors' worries on economy are eased.
The weak stock market, which slid about 50 points by the end of gold floor trading time despite the bullish housing data, gave some support and helped the precious metal finish a little higher.
September silver finished at 13.99 dollars per ounce, up 11.5 cents. October platinum gained 31.10 dollars to 1,222.50 dollars an ounce.
