Reply #66: Gold hits high as dollar falls after U.S. data

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/03/us-markets-precious-idUSTRE74F62H20110603

(Reuters) - Gold hit session highs on Friday as the dollar tumbled after a monthly jobs report from the United States showed the economy created far fewer jobs than expected.

Spot gold touched a peak of $1,546.39 a troy ounce. It was bid at $1,542.15 at 1326 GMT from $1,532.55 an ounce late in New York on Thursday. The precious metal hit a record high of $1,575.79 on May 2.

Gold priced in sterling hit a record high of 946.79 pounds ($1,548) an ounce as a weaker dollar across a basket of currencies triggered a rush for the precious metal.

U.S. employment rose far less than expected in May in its weakest reading since September, while the jobless rate rose as high energy prices and the effects of Japan's earthquake bogged down the economy.