Gold rose to a record as heightened US-China frictions and bets the Federal Reserve will press on with monetary easing through the end of the year supported demand.
Bullion has risen more than 5% so far this week and touched a peak above $4,242 an ounce on Thursday, as a breakneck rally underway since mid-August extended. The buying spree has spread to other precious metals, with silver surging more than 3% on Wednesday as availability in the London market remained tight.