US gold drops on dollar rise, sentiment strong

NEW YORK, Nov 20 (Reuters) - U.S. gold futures dropped
slightly on Friday as the dollar rose, but losses were limited
due to strong underlying support amid economic uncertainties
and inflation concerns.

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

GOLD

* COMEX December gold GCZ9 down 60 cents at $1,141.30 an
ounce at 9:59 a.m. EST (1459 GMT) on the NYMEX.

* Range spanned from $1,132.50 to $1,148.10.

* Gold pressured as the dollar rises for a second straight
session as investors cuts risk exposure. [USD/]

* Gold's ability to stem losses despite weaker equities and
commodities signal strong buying interest - traders.

* Sentiment still positive after news that billionaire
hedge fund manager John Paulson will start a gold fund.

* December $1,200 call strike options set to expire
worthless on Monday, despite strong open interest - option
traders.

* Gold-to-oil ratio at 14.92, up from the previous
session's 14.74.

* COMEX estimated 10 a.m. volume at 114,363 lots.

* Spot gold XAU= at $1,137.90 an ounce, compared with
$1,143.50 late in the previous session in New York.

* London's afternoon gold fix XAUFIX= at $1,140 an
ounce.

SILVER

* December silver SIZ9 down 22.5 cents, or 1.2 percent,
at $18.230 an ounce, tracking gold's weakness.

* Ranged from $18.035 to $18.595.

* COMEX estimated 10 a.m. volume at 24,157 lots.

* Spot silver XAG= was at $18.21 against $18.51 in the
previous session in New York.

* London silver fix XAGFIX= at $18.18.

PLATINUM

* January platinum PLF0 down $8.20 at $1,435.70 an ounce
on broad-based commodities weakness amid a strong dollar.

* Spot platinum XPT= $1,427.50 an ounce.

PALLADIUM

* December palladium PAZ9 down $9, or 2.4 percent, at
$360.90 an ounce on platinum's weakness.

* Spot palladium XPD= $358 an ounce.
Prices at 9:22 a.m. CST (1522 GMT)

Last Change Pct 2008 YTD

Chg Close % Chg
US gold GCZ9 1139.80 -2.10 -0.2 884.30 28.9
US silver SIZ9 18.320 -0.135 -0.7 11.295 62.2
US platinum PLF0 1437.40 -6.50 -0.5 941.50 52.7
US palladium PAZ9 362.50 -7.40 -2.0 188.70 92.1
Gold XAU= 1139.40 -4.10 -0.4 878.20 29.7
Silver XAG= 18.30 -0.21 -1.1 11.30 61.9
Platinum XPT= 1431.00 -10.50 -0.7 924.50 54.8
Palladium XPD= 360.00 -6.00 -1.6 184.50 95.1
Gold Fix XAUFIX= 1140.00 -2.50 -0.2 836.50 36.3
Silver Fix XAGFIX= 18.18 -2.00 -0.1 14.76 23.2
Platinum Fix XPTFIX= 1435.00 5.00 0.3 1529.00 -6.1
Palladium Fix XPDFIX= 360.00 1.00 0.3 365.00 -1.4
(Reporting by Frank Tang; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)