"Gold is also seen as a hedge against inflation, a factor
that is gaining increasing prominence as central banks keep
pumping money into the financial system to jolt the economy.
Spot gold was essentially unchanged at $990.05 by
0138 GMT after touching a peak of $997.20 on Thursday.
U.S. gold futures for December delivery , now at
$991.30, came even closer to four digits with a session peak of
$999.50 per ounce on Thursday.
"Gold had a positive correlation with stocks for the last
three months, but now that there are signs of weakness in
stocks, investors are turning to the metal in flight-to-quality"