San Francisco, July 20, IRNA - Gold futures settled higher Thursday, breaking a three-day losing streak as investors were back to the metal amid nervousness about the Middle East, a rally for oil and a modestly weaker dollar.

Gold for August delivery added $9.60, or 0.6%, to settle at $1,580.40 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

According to Wall Street Journal, gold lost $21 in the past three sessions, as disappointment with the testimony of US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke dragged prices lower.

Some risk-taking mentality was back to the broader markets, and the rally in oil after heightened concerns about the Middle East helped gold, according to Bill O‘Neill, a principal at Logic Advisors in New Jersey.

Gold still needs to close above $1,600 an ounce and beyond to enjoy “a more improved technical picture,” wrote George Gero, a vice president at RBC Wealth Management, in a note to clients.

Meanwhile, copper lead gains among metals futures, with the September contract rose 6 cents, or 1.7%, to settle at $3.53 a pound.

So far this year, copper has gained more than 2%, besting most commodities, including gold.

Copper markets "seem to be focusing on expectations that the Chinese authorities will now accelerate policies to rev up their economy,” wrote Edward Meir, an analyst with INTL FCStone, in a note.

September silver advanced 12 cents, or 0.5%, to finish at $27.22 an ounce.

A weaker dollar also provided some support for metals. The ICE dollar index declined at 82.866 from 82.990 late Wednesday.

October platinum rose $18.90, or 1.4%, to $1,423.10 an ounce. September palladium added $7.30, or 1.3%, to $584.85 an ounce.