• Gold prices ended flat on Thursday as possible monetary tightening by China and lingering currency volatility kept bullion investors on the sidelines.
• Chinese consumer inflation data spurted to a 16-month high in February, fueling speculation that the world's most populous nation will tighten monetary supply soon. The crux of the matter is that China's economic data is very strong. There is a lot of talk that they will raise rates by the next month or two.

• Higher inflation data usually supports gold, but a strong resolve by central banks to curb rising prices by raising interest
rate decreases the metal's investment appeal.

• U.S. crude oil futures settled only 0.02 percent higher on Thursday after seesawing amid uncertainty about China and concerns it may tighten monetary policy to curb growth and inflation.

• On the New York Mercantile Exchange, April crude rose 2 cents, or 0.02 percent, to settle at $82.11 a barrel, trading from $81.33 to $82.32.