NEW YORK (AP) — Investors returned to the commodities market Friday in a big way, sending Prices for copper, silver and oil sharply higher amid clearer signs the Economy is healing. Commodities Prices rallied after the latest report on housing showed further improvement and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke reassured investors by describing the Economy on the verge of a recovery. After a big run-up this summer, Prices had been wavering this week amid uncertainty about how strong a recovery would be. Bernanke said prospects look good for the Economy to return to growth in the near future, but warned that lending is still not back to normal and will likely remain a challenge for some time. His comments came during an annual Fed meeting in Wyoming on Friday. Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors said sales of existing homes rose 7.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.24 million in July, from a pace of 4.89 million in June. It was the fourth straight monthly increase and the highest level of sales since August 2007. The day's news lifted investors' interest in riskier assets including stocks and commodities, while safe-haven assets like the dollar and Treasurys tumbled. All the major stock indicators rose more than 1.5 percent and are at fresh highs for the year. Commodities also got a boost from expectations that a stronger Economy would lift demand for basic Materials including metals. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, December copper futures soared 14 cents, or 5.1 percent, to $2.8940 a pound, while December silver jumped 28.6 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $14.1990 an ounce. For the week, copper finished up 1.5 percent, but silver lost 3.6 percent. Gold for December delivery rose $13 to $954.70 an ounce and October platinum gained $17.20 to $1,259.20 an ounce. Aluminum also rose. Oil Prices hit a new 2009 high, briefly trading near $75 before settling at $73.89 a barrel, up 98 cents. Natural gas prices, however, tumbled to a new seven-year low, suggesting some pessimism about an economic rebound. Natural gas, which is used by major Industries for power, has underperformed the broader Energy market this year. Natural gas for September delivery dropped 14.1 cents to $2.804 per 1,000 cubic feet. In other Nymex trading, gasoline for September delivery rose 1.34 cents to $1.9956 a gallon and heating oil for September delivery added 1.97 cents to $1.9049 a gallon. Soft commodities were mixed. Cotton and sugar Prices fell, while cocoa and coffee rose. On the Chicago Board of Trade, December wheat futures fell 9.25 cents to $4.8725 a bushel, while December corn rose 2.25 cents to $3.2625 a bushel. November soybeans gained 16 cents to $9.73 a bushel.

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