Spot gold hit a peak of $3,028.24 in early trade, and by 0927 was up 0.7% at $3,023.30 an ounce. Prices climbed above $3,000 for the first time on March 14. U.S. gold futures gained 0.9% to $3,032.

Gold prices raced to a record high within touching distance of the key milestone of $3,000 per ounce on Thursday, with ...