Gold futures ended lower on Friday as crude oil prices ended lower and the dollar strengthened after a report showed that U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly declined in August.Dollar gained against major currencies limiting gold's attractiveness as an alternative investment.On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange,August contract was down 0.8 percent down $7.70 to $947.Among other precious metals,Silver was down to $14.65 an ounce against $15.00.Platinum fell to $1,257 an ounce from $1,265, while palladium was down to $273.