Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose on Thursday, as U.S. economic data fed uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's path for interest rate hikes.

The most active gold contract for December delivery rose 0.5 dollar, or 0.04 percent, to settle at 1278.20 dollars per ounce.

Gold prices had briefly added to earlier gains after economic data showed some softening of the U.S. economy, although not to the degree that's expected to sideline the Federal Reserve from its December interest rate hike.

Official data released on Thursday shows the Philadelphia Fed's manufacturing index fell to a reading of 22.7 in November, from 27.9 in October. U.S. weekly jobless claims jumped to a six-week high, but October industrial production rose by 0.9 percent.

As for other precious metals, silver for December delivery added 10.1 cents, or 0.6 percent, to close at 17.072 dollars per ounce. Platinum for next January went up 3.1 dollars, or 0.33 percent, to settle at 936.2 dollars per ounce.