国际英语新闻：Gold ends moderately lower as safe-haven demand dwindles

CHICAGO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange pared earlier gains after touching near one month high on Friday, and the price rallied nearly 1 percent this week on macroeconomic jitter. Silver edged up.

The most active gold contract for December delivery lost 10 cents, to finish at 1,216.6 dollars per ounce.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported on Friday that the retail sales increased 0.4 percent last month, after two consecutive month of decline, but it was still below analysts' expectation of a 0.5 percent gain. The increase was mainly supported by the strength in auto sale, while most other retailers reported declines.

The U.S. Labor Department said on Friday that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent last month, mainly due to the rising gas prices. And the core index, which excludes volatile food and gas prices, only rose 0.1 percent. Dollar strengthened after the report and eroded gold's appeal as an alternative investment.

Another report released on Friday showed that the consumer confidence in August inched up to 69.6, from 67.8 in July, which is higher than economists' forecast of 68.8, but still well below June's reading of 76.0. The surprising increase in consumer confidence showed that consumer's fears over the economic outlook have been alleviated, and consumers felt slightly optimistic about U.S economic respects.

Gold extended gains in the overnight session, and opened higher on Friday, as investors' wobbly outlook for the U.S economy boosted safe-haven demand for the gold. But gold price started to move lower after the price hit the highest level in nearly one month, as the slightly better-than-expected U.S and European economic data helped dissipate the negative sentiment.

September silver added 4.4 cents, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 18.109 dollars per ounce.