CHICAGO, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange ended higher Monday, extending gains to a second straight session, with its attractiveness as a safe-haven asset in the wake of a steep drop in U.S. equities.

The most active gold contract for April delivery rose 5.8 dollars, or 0.35 percent, to settle at 1,676.4 dollars per ounce.