Gold gained for a sixth day to the highest in more than a month as crude oil's rally to a record stoked global inflation concerns and boosted the appeal of bullion as a hedge.

Crude oil futures advanced to a record $135.04 a barrel in New York today as U.S. stockpiles unexpectedly dropped and banks raised price forecasts because of supply constraints and demand growth. Oil has gained 8.2 percent in five days while gold has advanced 5.9 percent.

``Gold has turned around in the last few weeks, as higher oil prices have again raised concerns of higher inflation and we are seeing some investor interest in the gold market,'' Gerard Burg, minerals and energy consultant at National Australia Bank Ltd., said today by phone from Melbourne.

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Bullion for immediate delivery rose as much as 0.3 percent to $935.55 an ounce today, the highest since April 18, before trading at $933.70 at 10:49 a.m. in Singapore. Silver gained 0.4 percent to $18.07 an ounce at the same time.

Crude oil futures rose for a fifth session to reach a record $135.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange today before trading at $134.33 at 10:48 a.m. in Singapore.

The dollar fell to a one-month low against the euro on speculation a surge in crude oil prices will accelerate inflation while slowing economic growth in the U.S., the world's largest oil importer.

``Gold has extended its gains after breaking back up through $900 and we are now reaching important resistance that starts around $925-$930 and runs up to $955,'' Robin Wilkin, head of currencies and commodities technical analysis at JPMorgan Chase & Co., wrote in a report yesterday

``A break of $940-$955 will be far more constructive for precious metals on the whole,'' Wilkin said. The metal could move toward $800 to $845 if it drops below $900, Wilkin added.

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