report aug

Precious metals gleamed brighter this week, with silver sparkling the most while gold and platinum edged out modest gains.

New York crude futures rose in volatile trading Friday, but ended down on the week. In other markets, U.S. stocks closed mixed on the last day of trading but eked out small gains during this final full week of August.

European stocks rose for a sixth week in seven.

Precious metals traded within a narrow weekly range, ending mix with gold slightly lower and silver higher. Crude-oil plunged this week with the biggest loss on Friday following an unexpected drop in consumer confidence, which was also cited for pulling down US stocks.

European stocks ended lower on the week as well.

Precious metals carried momentum from last Friday into the new week and tilted higher until the week's close. Gold edged lower Friday as the U.S. dollar strengthened and crude-oil prices weakened to fall from a five-week high.

London metals trended higher through most of the week, marking solid gains.U.S. stocks reached fresh heights for the year while European stocks rose for the fourth straight week.

London precious metals ended the week mixed with little movement as dips on Tuesday and Wednesday were flattened by mini spikes on Thursday and Friday.

The U.S. dollar and oil traveled as if riding a roller coaster. Yet gold moved in a relative narrow range.

The metals showed a touch of vibrancy by week's end as New York futures closed strong.

U.S. stocks enjoyed monster gains in July despite modest advances of less than 1 percent during the final week.

European stocks rose for the third straight week.