Gold Futures and U.S. Department of Commerce

major currencies: A stronger U.S. dollar drove traders away from gold safe haven properties, as the U.S. Dollar Index rose Friday, according to Xinhua China. The index is a measure of the dollar against a basket of major currencies. The most active gold contract for April delivery lost 18.4 U.S. dollars, or 1.49 percent, to settle at 1,220.40 dollars per ounce. Gold and the dollar typically move in opposite directions, which means if the dollar goes up, gold futures will fall as gold, measured by the dollar, becomes more expensive for investors. The precious metal was put under further pressure as a separate report released Friday by the U.S. Department of Commerce showed the core Personal Income and Outlays reading rising by 0.3 percent in January from December. Gold was put under further pressure as the U.S. Department of Commerce on Friday released the gross domestic product report for the fourth quarter last year, which showed the headline GDP measure increasing by the better than expected 1 percent. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.