NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- New York spot gold prices have firmed up after the Labor Department reported a fall in initial jobless claims.
The Labor Department stated that initial jobless claims decreased by 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 457,000 for the week ended March 13.

Spot gold prices have risen $2.30, or 0.2%, to $1,127.40 an ounce.

"Resistance in gold remains overhead at the $1,145 area, but the metal has thus far had some trouble clearing the $1,130.00 mark," Kitco analyst Jon Nadler writes.

New York spot silver prices have retreated, falling by 8 cents, or 0.5% to $17.43 an ounce in the intraday.

New York spot platinum prices have fallen by $4.00, or 0.3%, to $1,625 an ounce, while its sister metal has been retreating as well.