CHICAGO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) — Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange returned above 1,100 dollars on Thursday on weak dollar. Silver and platinum both rallied.

The most active gold contract for February delivery gained 10. 80 U.S. dollars, or 1 percent, to finish at 1,104.80 dollars an ounce.

Dollar failed to climb higher despite economic data provided some early-morning support and slowed earlier losses. The U.S. durable goods orders showed healthy growth in business capital expenditures for the month of November, while initial jobless claims data showed that fresh unemployment insurance claims fell to their lowest levels in 15 months.

Weak dollar fueled gold’s hedge appeal ahead of long weekend and the end of 2009 amid a light-volume holiday trading.

March silver was up 25 cents to 17.44 dollars per ounce. April platinum gained 41.10 dollars to 1,474 dollars an ounce.