By Nicholas Larkin April 7 (Bloomberg) -- Gold, little changed near a one- month high in London today, may gain for a third day as concern about Europe's recovery boosts the precious metal's haven appeal. The dollar was steady against the euro as a report today confirmed Europe's recovery is lagging behind that of the U.S. Greek bonds plunged yesterday on speculation that the European Union's aid plan for the nation may falter. "Because of all the uncertainty in the euro region, gold is still a good safe haven investment," said Bernard Sin, head of currency and metals trading at MKS Finance SA, a bullion refiner in Geneva. "On any dip physical traders will come in." Gold for immediate delivery lost 5 cents to $1,134.25 an ounce at 10:16 a.m. local time. Bullion for June delivery was 0.1 percent lower at $1,134.70 on the Comex in New York. Europe's economy unexpectedly stagnated in the fourth quarter as companies cut spending more than previously estimated. Gross domestic product in the 16-nation euro area remained unchanged from the third quarter, when it rose 0.4 percent, the European Union's statistics office in Luxembourg said today. Gold reached a record 851.90 euros ($1,141.42) an ounce today, Bloomberg data show. Bullion rose for a ninth year in 2009 as central banks and governments maintained low borrowing costs and spent trillions of dollars to stimulate economies. Federal Reserve officials saw signs the recovery could be hobbled by high unemployment and tight credit, and some warned of the risks of increasing borrowing costs too soon, according to minutes of their March meeting released yesterday. Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke will speak in Dallas, Texas, today on the topic of economic challenges. Platinum Rises "Bullion was supported by speculation that the Fed will keep rates near zero for the time being," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, general manager of research at Tokyo-based IDO Securities Co. Among metals for immediate delivery in London, platinum rose to a 20-month high of $1,726.75 an ounce and was last up 0.8 percent at $1,714.25. Palladium added as much as 1.5 percent to $513.75 an ounce, the highest price since March 2008, and was last at $510. Silver added 0.1 percent to $17.955 an ounce. Platinum has climbed 17 percent this year and palladium 25 percent, outperforming gold's 3.4 percent gain, as industrial demand expanded and the start of exchange-traded platinum funds in the U.S. in January boosted purchases. Platinum and palladium are used mainly in catalytic converters for vehicles and jewelry. --With assistance from Sungwoo Park in Seoul,Jae Hur in Tokyo and Simone Meier in Dublin. Editors: John Deane, Stuart Wallace.

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