CHICAGO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange closed higher on Friday amid stock market sell-off and a softened U.S. dollar.

The most active gold contract for February 2019 delivery was up 9.00 U.S. dollars, or 0.72 percent, to settle at 1,252.60 dollars per ounce.

The U.S. dollar index was lower on Friday, following a weak jobs report for November, during which non-farm payrolls increased by 155,000, compared to expected 198,000. The latest jobs data made many believe that the U.S. Federal Reserve may be more dovish in interest rate hikes next year.

The dollar and gold usually move in opposite directions. When the dollar falls, gold futures will rise, as gold which is measured in the dollar, becomes less expensive for investors holding other currencies.

Gold, a safe haven asset, got additional support from the sharp fall in equities. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq declined about two percent amid massive sell-off on Friday.

As for other precious metals, silver for March 2019 delivery went up 18.7 cents, or 1.29 percent, to close at 14.696 dollars per ounce. Platinum for January delivery was up 0.8 dollars, or 0.1 percent, to settle at 790.40 dollars per ounce. Enditem

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