CHICAGO, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Friday as the U.S. dollar and U.S. equities fell.

       The most active gold contract for June delivery rose 20.4 U.S. dollars, or 1.08 percent, to close at 1,911.7 dollars per ounce.

       U.S. Commerce Department reported Friday that U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index increased by 6.6 percent for the year ending in March, which hit a fresh 40-year high and supported gold.

       Gold found additional support as the Chicago Business Barometer, also known as the Chicago purchasing managers' index (PMI), fell to 56.4 in April from 62.9 in March.

       The Consumer Sentiment Index released Friday by the University of Michigan (UM) Surveys of Consumers rose to 65.2 in the April survey, up from 59.4 in March, but well below last April's 88.3.

       Silver for July delivery fell 9.6 cents, or 0.41 percent, to close at 23.085 dollars per ounce. Platinum for July delivery rose 28.5 dollars, or 3.13 percent, to close at 939.6 dollars per ounce.