NEW YORK, Oct 16 (Reuters) - U.S. gold futures ended
slightly higher on Friday, after erasing initial losses, as
strong investment buying shook off worries about the banking
sector following a quarterly loss posted by Bank of America.
For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/].
GOLD
* December gold futures GCZ9 settle up 90 cents at
$1,051.50 an ounce in COMEX trade.
* Range from $1,043.70 to $1,057.90. December scaled a
record high $1,072 on Wednesday.
* Gold gains despite substantial scrap sales indicate
overbought conditions from investors - Heraeus trader.
* Dollar rises but off session highs, supports gold.
* Greenback up on safe-haven buying as equities drop.
* Bank of America posted a $1 billion Q3 loss on consumer
credit woes, stokes bank worries.
* Gold's recent rise led by currency worries rather than
inflation.
* Gold boosted by oil, which climbed above $78 per barrel.
* Gold-to-oil ratio below 14. It is at 13.40, down tad from
previous session's 13.53.
* Pullback possible as open interest stays above 500,000
lots. <NYMMTLFUT/VOI>
* Spot gold $1,052.80 an ounce at 2:56 p.m. EDT (1856 GMT),
against $1,049.85 late in New York in the previous session.
* London afternoon gold fix XAUFIX= $1,047.50.
SILVER
* December silver SIZ9 ends up 0.5 cent at 17.420 an
ounce.
* Silver looking for clear direction from gold.
* Range $17.210 to $17.525.
* Spot silver XAG= was at $17.41, versus its previous
finish of $17.32 an ounce.
* London silver fix XAGFIX= at $17.31 an ounce.
PLATINUM
* January platinum PLF0 finishes down $7 at $1,348.50 an
ounce on poor economic sentiment.
* Strong industrial demand seen, but over-supply possible
next year - Heraeus
* Spot platinum XPT= was at $1,336.50, compared with its
previous finish of $1,348.50.
PALLADIUM
* December palladium PAZ9 closes up $2.50 at $330.65 an
ounce on investment demand.
* Spot palladium XPD= was at $326.50, compared with its
previous session close at $323.50.
Close Change Pct 2008 YTD
Chg Close % Chg
US gold GCZ9 1051.50 0.9 0.1 884.3 18.9
US silver SIZ9 17.420 0.005 0.0 11.295 54.2
US platinum PLF0 1348.50 -7.00 -0.5 941.50 43.2
US palladium PAZ9 330.65 2.50 0.8 188.70 75.2
Prices at 2:56 p.m. EDT (1856 GMT)
Gold XAU= 1052.80 2.95 0.3 878.20 19.9
Silver XAG= 17.42 0.10 0.6 11.30 54.2
Platinum XPT= 1336.00 -12.50 -0.9 924.50 44.5
Palladium XPD= 326.50 3.000 0.9 184.50 77.0
Gold Fix XAUFIX= 1047.50 -0.25 0.0 836.50 25.2
Silver Fix XAGFIX= 17.31 -23.00 -1.3 14.76 17.3
Platinum Fix XPTFIX= 1340.00 1.00 0.1 1529 -12.4
Palladium FixXPDFIX= 327.00 2.00 0.6 365.0 -10.4
(Reporting by Frank Tang; Editing by Walter Bagley)
