CHICAGO, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell for the third straight session on Friday and closed lower for the first week in six, as investors opted to pocket profits after gold failed to make a new record high in recent rally. Silver and platinum both ended much lower.

    Gold price for December delivery fell 7.30 U.S. dollars, or 0.7 percent, to finish at 991.60 dollars an ounce. Earlier in the session the contract dipped to an intraday low of 985.50 dollars, the weakest level since Sept. 10.

    Investors were discouraged that the gold retreated from its new 18-month high, failing to reach a fresh record high. Especially after the precious metal tumbled below the key level of 1,000 dollars on Thursday, long liquidation appeared for investors decided to take profits ahead of weekend.

    Economic data are also disappointing. Orders for durable goods fell unexpectedly in August, while sales of new homes rose less than expected. This refueled concerns about the U.S. economy's recovery.

    The Commerce Department said orders for durable goods dropped 2.4 percent in August, compared with economists' expectations of a 0.5-percent increase.

    The department also said new U.S. home sales inched up 0.7 percent last month to 429,000, lower than market's anticipation of 440,000.

    Holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the biggest gold exchange-traded fund, fell to 1,094.11 tons on Thursday, down 7.62 metric tons from the previous session, meaning the demand for gold declined and putting some pressure on the yellow metal's price.

    December silver finished at 16.06 dollars per ounce, down 23.5 cents. October platinum fell 23.90 dollars to 1,284.60 dollars an ounce.