The price of gold struck a record high above $3,500 an ounce Tuesday while stock markets mostly retreated as investors sought safety on global economy concerns.

The dollar rallied against the euro and British pound as French and UK government borrowing costs hit multi-year highs.

Oil prices soared on stalled peace negotiations between Ukraine and major energy producer Russia, according to analysts.

On the corporate front, shares in Nestle retreated around two percent after the Swiss food giant sacked chief executive Laurent Freixe, citing an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate.

Wall Street reopens Tuesday after a long holiday weekend, with all eyes on key US jobs data due Friday.

"September can be a strange month for financial markets, as stocks historically te

See Full Page