LONDON (SHARECAST) - Gold futures plunged below the $1,000 mark as the dollar rallied and crude oil slipped to an eight-week low with poor housing figures spooking investors.
The December delivery fell $15.50 to finish at $998.90 an ounce.
The National Association of Realtors said existing home sales declined 2.7% in August against a 7.2% rise in July. Economists had been expecting another increase.
Oil prices fell $3.08 to $65.89 a barrel as the data suggested the economy may not be recovering as quickly as thought. A buoyant economy means the demand for oil increases.
Investors were also still considering the government's report on Wednesday of a surprise increase in oil supply.
