Gold broke above $4,500 an ounce for the first time on Wednesday while silver and platinum also marked new record highs, as safe-haven demand and expectations of further U.S. rate cuts next year fuelled speculative interest in precious metals. Spot gold was up 0.2 per cent at $4,494.49 per ounce at 1220 GMT, after marking a record high of $4,525.19 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures for February delivery climbed 0.4 per cent to $4,523.10. Silver hit an all-time high of $72.70 and was last up 1.3 per cent at $72.32 an ounce, while platinum peaked at $2,377.50 before paring gains to stand 1.6 per cent higher at ... (full story)