Gold prices plunge a record US$100

Trading was volatile, capping one of the most tumultuous weeks on record for world markets as fear of a Greek default and a gloomy Federal Reserve prognosis for the U.S. economy sparked a sell-off in stocks and commodities and drove investors to the safe-haven U.S. dollar and Treasurys.

A pledge by G-20 policy makers that they will calm the global financial system failed to appease investors, who are concerned that authorities are unable to respond effectively to the mounting eurozone debt crisis and sluggish growth in major world economies.

Gold slumped more than 6 percent at one point — its biggest drop since the financial crisis in 2008 — to hit its lowest since early August as a slide turned into a free-fall, with weeks of volatility and talk of hedge fund liquidation wrecking its safe haven status.

“The bull case for gold is on pause for the near term,” said Adam Klopfenstein, senior market strategist for precious metals at MF Global in Chicago.

“In the near term, the flight-to-quality interest in owning gold is also out of the window as people are not interested in buying it even in the face of fears in the economy. Until it stabilizes, I'm staying out of this market.”

Spot gold was last at US$1,649 an ounce, after falling to a session low under US$1,628. At US$127 an ounce, the intraday move was the biggest on record in dollar terms.

U.S. stocks ended higher after seesawing between gains and losses, stopping the bleeding after a disastrous four days of selling marred by severe anxiety.

Comments from European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny, who said it might be advisable for the central bank to add more liquidity to European banks helped lift sentiment.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up 37.65 points, or 0.35 percent, at 10,771.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 6.87 points, or 0.61 percent, at 1,136.43. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 27.56 points, or 1.12 percent, at 2,483.23.

Global stocks as measured by the MSCI All-Country index were up 0.2 percent, after hitting their lowest level since July 2010 at 274.20.

The index is now in bear market territory — defined as a fall of 20 percent or more from the peak — having tumbled more than 22 percent from its 2011 high in May.

“Financial markets are sick and tired of the authorities in Europe and in the U.S. twiddling their thumbs and not doing substantive things to solve this crisis of the global economy,” said Barton Biggs, managing partner at New York-based Traxis Partners.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index ended up 0.8 percent. Emerging markets stocks slid 1.6 percent.

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