国际英语新闻：Gold pulls back from 2-month high as safe-haven demand fizzles

CHICAGO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell below its fresh 2-month high and ended moderately lower on Wednesday, as a series of stronger-than-expected economic data improved investors' overall macro-economic outlook and dulled the metal's allure as a safe- haven. Silver edged lower, but platinum inched up.

The most active gold contract for December delivery lost 2.2 U. S. dollars or 0.2 percent, to finish at 1,248.1 dollars per ounce.

Gold surged earlier Wednesday and touched 1,256.6 dollar per ounce, the highest intraday price since June 28, after a report released by ADP Employer Service showed the private-sector jobs in the U.S. unexpectedly dropped by 10,000 in August, and U.S. construction spending in July plunged to its lowest rate in 10 years, according to U.S. Commerce Department.

But a chain of upbeat economic data took the steam out of gold' s rally earlier in the morning. A stronger-than-expected ISM reading, combined with strong manufacturing data from China, and a better-than-expected economic growth in Australia have triggered the evaporation of bearish sentiment in the market, and in turn dulled the safe-haven shine of the precious metal.

Meanwhile, the sharp rally in the U.S. equity markets also helped to aggravate the decline in gold, as investors who have regained their risk appetite sold off gold to take profits and speculated in stocks.

December silver dipped 3.9 cents, or 0.2 percent, to 19.393 dollars per ounce. October platinum added 12.2 dollars, or 0.8 percent, to 1,535.7 dollars per ounce.