Gold futures exceeded $US1,750 an ounce for the first time as the global rout in equities and commodities deepened on concern the economic slowdown will worsen after Standard & Poor's cut the US credit rating. Gold for December delivery in New York advanced 2.5 per cent to a record $US1,756.80 an ounce and traded at $US1,752.60 at 1:17 p.m. in Melbourne. Immediate-delivery gold rose as much as 2 per cent to $US1,754.63, also an all-time high. The precious metal has surged 23 per cent this year, heading for an 11th year of gains, as the global sovereign-debt crisis and a faltering economy boost demand for wealth ... (full story)