CHICAGO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Tuesday on market expectations that the Federal Reserve may have concluded interest rate hikes.

       The most active gold contract for December delivery rose 21.30 U.S. dollars, or 1.08 percent, to close at 2,001.60 dollars per ounce.

       Shortly after the floor trading of gold closes, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes were released, showing that most Federal Reserve officials continue to worry about reacceleration of inflation, and it is their consensus that rates need to stay high.

       The National Association of Realtors on Tuesday reported that U.S. existing home sales fell 4.1 percent in October from September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.79 million. This was weaker than the 3.90 million sales pace economists were expecting and the sales were down 14.6 percent from a year ago.

       Silver for December delivery rose 25.50 cents, or 1.08 percent, to close at 23.869 dollars per ounce. Platinum for January delivery rose 18.50 dollars, or 1.99 percent, to close at 945.90 dollars per ounce.