Gold futures topped the key $1,000 mark for the first time in nearly a year on Friday, as global financial and economic worries boosted the safe-haven appeal of the precious metal. In recent action, gold for April delivery traded at $996.80 an ounce, up $20.30, or 2%, on the day. It earlier touched a high of $1,000.30. Gold for February delivery, the front-month contract which registered very little volume, was last up $20.10, or 2%, at $996.60 an ounce on Globex. Stocks were poised for a very weak open on Wall Street, with futures for the S&P 500 index ) recently off more than 2% amid fear that government efforts to rescue the financial system may fall short.
