Weak dollar drives US gold to record high $1,043.20

NEW YORK, Oct 6 (Reuters) - U.S. gold futures scaled an
all-time high above $1,040 an ounce on Tuesday, gaining more
than 2 percent as a weakened U.S. currency prompted investors
to buy gold as a hedge against dollar-denominated portfolios.

For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/].

GOLD

* Most-active December gold futures GCZ9 up $22.20, or
2.2 percent, at $1,040 an ounce at 10:23 a.m. EDT (1423 GMT) on
the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

* Ranging from $1,016.60 to $1,043.20.

* The December contract fresh all-time high surpassed the
previous record for the active contract of $1,033.90 set in
March 2008.

* Gold largely boosted as the dollar fell after an interest
rate hike in Australia and rising equity prices bolstered
perceptions that the global economy was recovering, diminishing
safe-haven demand for the U.S. currency. [USD/]

* Gold's record high is another signal of the effect of the
weak dollar - Mike Fitzpatrick, vice president at MF Global in
New York.

* Market chatters that the dollar's reserve currency status
could be challenged fueled buying in gold - traders.

* A British newspaper reported that Gulf Arab states were
in secret talks to abandon the U.S. currency in oil trade. Big
oil-producing countries denied the report. [ID:nSYD421795]

* "Certainly gold's rally to new highs is a reflection of
the weak dollar and inflationary expectations - Tom Bentz,
analyst at BNP Paribas Commodity Futures Inc in New York.

* Gold's rally gave the all-clear to buy commodities and
oil based on the dollar weakness - Chris Jarvis, senior analyst
at Caprock Risk Management.

* Bullion holdings of the world's largest bullion-backed
exchange-traded fund, New York's SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), edged
up 1.525 tonnes, or 0.1 percent, to 1,098.073 tonnes as of Oct.
5. [ID:nT111791] XAUEXT-NYS-TT

* Oil prices rose amid economic optimism. U.S. crude oil
futures CLc1 rose 2 percent, above $71 a barrel.

* Gold-to-oil ratio at 14.46, up from the previous
session's 14.41.

* COMEX estimated 10 a.m. volume at 115,178 lots.

* Spot gold XAU= was at $1,039.70 an ounce versus
$1,016.65, the previous session's late New York quote.

* London afternoon gold fix XAUFIX= was at $1,038.80.

SILVER

* December silver SIZ9 up 77.5 cents, or 4.7 percent, at
$17.310 an ounce, up with gold.

* Ranged from $16.625 to $17.335, a two-week high.

* COMEX estimated 10 a.m. volume at 23,595 lots.

* Spot silver XAG= was at $17.25, versus its previous
finish of 16.59 an ounce.

* London silver fix XAGFIX= at $16.95 an ounce.

PLATINUM

* January platinum PLF0 up $18.70, or 1.4 percent, at
$1,320.50 an ounce on broad-based precious metals rally.

* Spot platinum XPT= was at $1,309, compared with its
previous finish of $1,293.

PALLADIUM

* December palladium PAZ9 up $3.60 at $306.90 an ounce,
up with platinum.

* Spot palladium XPD= was at $303, against its previous
close of $298.50.
Prices at 10:26 a.m. EDT (1426 GMT)

Last Change Pct 2008 YTD

Chg Close % Chg
US gold GCZ9 1042.00 24.20 2.4 884.30 17.8
US silver SIZ9 17.315 0.780 4.7 11.295 53.3
US platinum PLF0 1320.50 18.70 1.4 941.50 40.3
US palladium PAZ9 306.10 2.80 0.9 188.70 62.2
Gold XAU= 1040.40 23.75 2.3 878.20 18.5
Silver XAG= 17.25 0.66 4.0 11.30 52.7
Platinum XPT= 1309.50 16.50 1.3 924.50 41.6
Palladium XPD= 302.50 4.00 1.3 184.50 64.0
Gold Fix XAUFIX= 1038.80 18.55 1.8 836.50 24.2
Silver Fix XAGFIX= 16.95 72.00 4.4 14.76 14.8
Platinum Fix XPTFIX= 1310.00 10.00 0.8 1529.00 -14.3
Palladium Fix XPDFIX= 302.00 2.50 0.8 365.00 -17.3
(Reporting by Frank Tang; editing by Jim Marshall)