Gold futures finished higher for second straight session on Thursday, kindled by the softer dollar and on intensified hopes over Federal Reserve interest rate cut bets followed by slower than expected US retail sales data. Meanwhile, initial claims for unemployment benefits decreased slightly last week, while new housing construction in May dipped to its lowest level in nearly four years.
Gold futures for August delivery up by $22.10 or 0.93% to settle at $2,369.00 per ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile. While, spot gold rose by $8.32 or 0.36% to $2,336.48 an ounce.