US gold closes strong, off $1,100/oz, on weak jobs

NEW YORK, Nov 6 (Reuters) - U.S. gold futures finishedFriday moderately higher, pulling off from the $1,100 per ounceall-time high, but remaining strong as investors sought theirsafety after the October U.S. labor market data came in muchweaker than expected, traders said. For the latest detailed report, click on [GOL/]. GOLD * COMEX December gold GCZ9 ended $6.4 higher at $1,095.70
an ounce. * Range spanned $1,086.50 to a new record at $1,101.90 * Gold alone among metals rose to a new all-time high as
investors sought a safe-haven investment after the dismal U.S.
employment reading suggested more economic weakness - traders. * "Gold rallied early on the unemployment numbers being
higher than expected.



It fueled thoughts of additional stimulus
and reinforced the concept that the Fed will not be able to
raise rates any time soon," said Frank McGhee, head precious
metals trader at Integrated Brokerage Services in Chicago. * U.S. employers cut 190,000 jobs in October greater than
the 175,000 forecast. The unemployment rate rose to 10.2
percent, a 26-1/2-year high above average forecasts of a 9.9
percent rate. [ID:nN06178752] and [ID:nN06177960] * Dollar declines against the yen and the euro over worries
about the U.S. economy following slack jobs figures helped
bolster gold purchases - traders. [USD/] * Gold was also underpinned by expectations of renewed
central bank interest after an IMF sale of 200 tonnes of gold
to India this week - traders. * COMEX estimated final volume at a healthy 164,334 lots. * Spot gold XAU=, by 2:35 p.m. EST (1935 GMT), was higher
at $1,095.15 an ounce than the $1,088.95 quote late in New York
on Thursday, but below the $1,100.90 record hit after the U.S.
jobs data. * London's afternoon gold fix XAUFIX= was set at
$1,096.75 an ounce. SILVER * December silver SIZ9 finished 3.50 cents lower at
$17.3750 an ounce, moving down with other industrial metals. * Range ran from $17.27 to $17.630. * Silver slipped after the weak reading of the U.S. labor
market hurt the outlook for industrial metals demand. * COMEX estimated volume final at 41,368 lots. * Spot silver XAG= was at $17.34, down from $17.36 in the
previous session in New York. * London silver fix XAGFIX= was set at $17.525. PLATINUM * January platinum PLF0 lost $14.70 cents to end at
$1,348.20 an ounce. * Spot platinum XPT= came to $1,338.0 in late Friday
business, off the previous session quote of $1,352.50 in New
York. PALLADIUM * December palladium PAZ9 fell $1.15 to close at $330.70
an ounce. * Spot palladium XPD= stood nearly even at $328.50 with
the prior session's late quote.
(Reporting by Carole Vaporean; Editing by Marguerita Choy)