Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange ended a little higher on Thursday, fluctuating near the all-time high. Silver inched up, but platinum fell.

The most active gold contract for December delivery climbed 2 U. S. dollars, or 0.2 percent, to finish at 1,089.30 dollars an ounce, failing to set a new record high.

Analysts indicated that the Market is digesting some important news, including India central bank's purchasing 200 tons IMF gold and several interest rate decisions.

Following the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark rate unchanged at zero to 0.25 percent on Wednesday, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England held their main rates at 1 percent and 0.5 percent respectively.

Investors are cautious ahead of another important economic data of employment which will be released on Friday. Nonfarm payrolls are expected to fall by 175,000 and the jobless rate will see a slight increase to 9.9 percent from 9.8 percent in September. This report will have great affects on dollar's trend.

December silver was up 0.5 cent to 17.41 dollars per ounce. January platinum lost 6.40 dollars to 1362.90 dollars an ounce.