Gold falls as market digests Fed statement

CHICAGO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell on Thursday as the market digested a bit hawkish statement from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday.

The most active gold contract for December delivery fell 29 U.S. dollars, or 1.63 percent, to close at 1,749.8 dollars per ounce.

This is the lowest finish of gold in more than six weeks.

The Federal Open Market Committee's announcement, released on Wednesday, said the Federal Reserve may soon decide to moderate the pace of asset purchases, and raise interest rates by late next year.

Gold was under additional pressure as all three major U.S. stock market indexes rose on Thursday.

Gold found certain support on downbeat economic figures released on Thursday. The U.S. Labor Department reported that the U.S. initial jobless claims rose to 351,000 in the week ending Sept. 18, up from 335,000 in the prior week.

The IHS Markit flash U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) came at 60.5 in September, a five-month low and down from 61.1 in August.

Silver for December delivery fell 22.8 cents, or one percent, to close at 22.679 dollars per ounce. Platinum for October delivery fell 4.1 dollars, or 0.41 percent, to close at 997 dollars per ounce.