Investing.com - Gold futures were higher on Friday, supported by renewed tensions between Russia and Ukraine, while markets awaited the release of U.S. consumer sentiment data later in the trading session.
On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, gold futures for June delivery traded at $1,300.20 a troy ounce during European afternoon trade, up 0.76%.
The June contract settled 0.47% higher on Thursday to end at $1,290.6 a troy ounce.
Gold futures were likely to find support at $1,277.60 a troy ounce, the low from April 22 and resistance at $1,326.90, the high from April 15.
Market participants were eyeing upcoming U.S. data after a report on Thursday showed that U.S. durable goods orders rose more than expected in March, fuelling optimism over the strength of the country's economic recovery.
The Commerce Department reported that U.S. orders for long lasting manufactured goods rose 2.6% last month, ahead of expectations for a 2% gain.
Core durable goods orders, which exclude volatile transportation items, rose 2% in March, easily surpassing forecasts for a 0.6% gain.
Separately, the Labor Department said the number of people who filed for unemployment assistance in the U.S. last week rose by 24,000 to 329,000. Despite the increase the underlying trend indicated continued strength in the labor market.
Meanwhile, gold remained supported by renewed tensions in Eastern Europe, after Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Moscow rebels on Thursday. In response, Russia launched army drills near the border, sparking fears its troops would invade.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington was drawing closer to imposing more sanctions on Moscow.
Elsewhere on the Comex, silver for May delivery dipped 0.03% to trade at $19.682 a troy ounce, while copper for May delivery edged down 0.09% to trade at $3.118 a pound.