CHICAGO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Friday as U.S. inflation data is hotter than expected. The most active gold contract for April delivery rose 9.20 U.S. dollars, or 0.46 percent, to close at 2,024.10 dollars per ounce. Hotter than expected inflation data boosted market expectations that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut rates before June, dampening U.S. dollar and supporting gold instead. Silver for March delivery rose 52.40 cents, or 2.28 percent, to close at 23.475 dollars per ounce. Platinum for April delivery rose 8.30 dollars, or 0.92 percent, to close at 913.50 dollars per ounce.
