Gold Almost Got New Record

Gold futures rose Friday nearly to an all time high as supply problems in South Africa triggered another round of speculative buying.

Gold rose to $948.40/949.20 an ounce from $944.40/945.20 an ounce late in New York. On Thursday, it rallied to $953.60, its highest level ever, before a sharp decline in crude oil erased much of the day's gains.