CHICAGO, April 7 (Xinhua)Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange surged to its highest level in nearly three months on Wednesday, fueled by physical demand and technical buying despite a strong dollar, Sliver and platinum both jumped.

The most active gold contract for June delivery rose 17.0 U.S. dollars, or 1.5 percent, to finish at 1,153.0 dollars.Full story

Chicago grain futures rally on short covering

CHICAGO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Grain futures in Chicago Board of Trade all rose sharply in late session on Wednesday, fueled by short covering after an early softness.

Soybean future for May delivery gained 8 cents to settle at 9. 525 U.S. dollars per bushel. May corn was up 10 cents to 3.565 dollars a bushel. May wheat rose 11.75 cents to 4.7525 dollars a bushel.Full story

Gold surges to nearly three month high

Graphics shows the prices of gold in the past 12 months. Gold price for June delivery rose 17.0 U.S. dollars, or 1.5 percent, to finish at 1,153.0 dollars an ounce on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange on April 7, 2010.

CHICAGO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange surged to its highest level in nearly three months on Wednesday, fueled by physical demand and technical buying despite a strong dollar, Sliver and platinum both jumped.

The most active gold contract for June delivery rose 17.0 U.S. dollars, or 1.5 percent, to finish at 1,153.0 dollars.

European Union's statistics office said on Wednesday that European economy barely grew in the fourth quarter, and the euro area GDP remained unchanged from the third quarter, which made investors lose confidence in euro and boosted gold's appeal as safe haven.

Japan's central bank announced Wednesday it would keep its key interest rate unchanged at 0.1 percent, which has also encouraged gold traders and rallied the gold market.

Meanwhile, since wedding season of India started, the active buying of local jewelers helped push gold sale up.

Gold was also lifted by speculation that the Fed will keep interest rates near zero for even longer.

May silver was up 26.8 cents to 18.199 dollars per ounce. July platinum rose 18.7 dollars to 1,723.2 dollars an ounce.