LONDON, Oct16(Reuters)- Gold fell on Thursday as lower oil prices reduced its appeal as an inflation hedge, while platinum fell more than 4 percent on concerns about lower demand from automakers. PRICES * Spot gold was at $835.60/838.10 at 0718 GMT compared with $848.00 late in New York on Wednesday. * Silver was at $10.13/10.21 from $10.23. * Platinum at $917.00/937.00 from $955.00. * Palladium at $187.50/195.5 from $189.00. DATA/EVENTS * U.S. consumer prices for September, due 1230 GMT * U.S. weekly jobless claims, 1230 GMT * U.S. September industrial output data, due 1315 GMT * Philadelphia Fed business activity index for October, 1400 GMT MARKET NEWS * The dollar gained as growing fears the global economy is headed for a deep recession sent investors rushing out of risky assets. * Oil fell for a third day, plumbing a 13-½ month low near $72 as commodity investors again rushed for the exit on fears of a collapse in demand growth. * European stock index futures pointed to a sharp drop on Thursday, part of a global equities sell-off on escalating fears of a global economic downturn. * The Nikkei average tumbled nearly 10 percent after weak U.S. economic data intensified fears that recent bank rescue measures by world authorities will not be enough to stave off a global recession. FUNDAMENTALS * J.D. Power and Associates, which tallies U.S. auto sales on a daily basis, sees October sales on track to hit the lowest level in 17 years with a sales rate below 12 million units. TECHNICALS * Gold support at $819, resistance at $855, RSI 14 at 42.0 * Silver support $10.00, resistance $10.60, RSI 14 at 35.1. * Platinum support $952, resistance $1,036, RSI 14 31.1 (Reporting by Julie Crust; editing by Michael Roddy) For related news and prices, click on the codes in brackets: Spot gold/silver Platinum/palladiumGold lease rates Comex gold futures Europe/Asia prices CBOT 100 oz gold futures RELATED NEWS AND OTHER TOPICS Precious metals news All metals news Metals summary Index of summaries All commodities news Metals diary Ldn Bullion Mkt Assoc Foreign exchange rates SPEED GUIDES Keywords: MARKETS PRECIOUS PREOPENER tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com vjt

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