A survey by the University of Michigan to measure the US consumer confidence, showed a jump during September to the highest level since March.

The survey showed the US consumer confidence index rose to 74.1 points in September vs. 74.1 in August, also higher than analysts forecasts of 75.9 points.

Gold prices rose on Friday, rebounding from the 1-week low that was hit yesterday, to head for the second straight weekly gain, as the US dollar fell against a basket of major currencies.

Gold prices rose 0.6% to $1,955.63 an ounce, after opening at $1,944.67, with a session-low of $1,943.98.

The yellow metal closed lower by 0.7% yesterday, posting the second daily loss in 3 days, and hit a 1-week low of $1,932.79.

Gold prices gained about 0.9% so far this week, to head for the second straight weekly gain.

The dollar index fell 0.1% today, to deepen its losses for the second day, which comes in favor of prices of gold and other dollar-denominated metals.

The greenback's drop came due to disappointing economic US data on the weekly jobless claims and on the housing sector during August, which offset the impact of the positive economic forecasts by the Federal Reserve.

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday held the interest rate between zero and 0.25%, and signaled that it plans to keep it near zero at least until the end of 2023 to help that the labor market to reach full employment, while putting up with the pressure resulting from the new inflation targeting strategy that will tolerate it above 2%.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell also stressed that the bank  expected the US economy to grow after projecting recession last June.

Gold stocks at the SPDR ETF fell 0.58 metric tonnes yesterday, with the total at the lowest level since July 29 of 1,246.99 metric tonnes.

Palladium prices fell on Friday, as the US dollar edged up against most of its major counterparts, amid lingering concerns over global demand.

US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell expressed that the US economy would recover faster than expected, but stressed the need for extra fiscal support to ease the coronavirus impact.

Automotive companies are trying to reinvigorate car sales and production levels after months of recession due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bearing in mind that palladium is heavily used in the manufacturing of car parts and components that reduce pollutant emissions.

The dollar index stabilized against a basket of currencies at 92.9 points as of 15:45 GMT, after hitting a high of 93 and a low of 92.7.

Palladium December futures fell 0.2% to trade at $2,330.2 an ounce as of 14:48 GMT, after hitting today's high at $2,368.1 and a low of $2,324.1.

The major US stock indices fell on Friday, as investors continued to parse the Federal Reserve's statements, and following the release of economic data.

The US Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday keeping the interest unchanged, and signaled that it plans to keep it near zero until the end of 2023.

However, uncertainty remains about the possibility of the US Congress to pass a second stimulus package to ease the coronavirus economic impact.

Today's data showed that the US current account posted a deficit of $171 billion in the second quarter, worse than expectations of $158 billion.

As for stocks, Dow Jones fell less than 0.1% or 16 points to 27,885 as of 15:37 GMT, Nasdaq fell 0.3% or 37 points to 10,872, and S&P 500 fell 0.3% or 33 points to 3,347.