Gold prices jump 1 pct as oil hits record high

By Lewa Pardomuan

LONDON (Reuters) - Gold rose to its highest level in almost a month on Tuesday as record-high oil prices fuelled fears of accelerating inflation, but a drop in global demand for the precious metal caused some concern.

Demand for gold for jewellery, investment and other uses, fell 16 percent compared with a year ago to 701 tonnes in the first quarter of 2008 -- the lowest quarterly figure in five years -- as bullion hit a record above $1,000 an ounce, the World Gold Council said in a report.

Spot gold hit a high of $919.60 an ounce, its highest level since April 23, up from $905.00/906.40 an ounce late in New York on Monday.

"Obviously the worries about inflation continue and are getting worse," said Daniel Hynes, metals analyst at Merrill Lynch.

"We think there will be more bad news coming out of the woodwork in terms of the global economic picture, which should help the gold market. I think consumers have to catch up a bit with where we are now."

Oil jumped to a new record above $129 a barrel on Tuesday, spurred by strength in refined oil products markets, led by diesel as well as a weak U.S. dollar.

Gold holdings in the world's largest exchange-traded funds (ETF) for bullion, StreetTRACKS Gold Shares, were unchanged at 583.93 tonnes after a sharp drop last week -- still down from a record of 663.83 tonnes in mid-March.

Gold has lost more than 12 percent in value since spiking to a record high of $1,030.80 on March 17, on profit taking and a recovery in the U.S. dollar against other currencies. But high oil prices, which raises fears of inflation, may offer support.