COMMODITIES

Chief executives of the world's top energy companies met ministers from the biggest producers on Saturday with record oil prices of above $75 a barrel speeding the race for supply investment.

Brent crude oil jumped to a fresh record high above $74 a barrel on Thursday after a steep drop in U.S. gasoline stocks fueled fears of tight summer supplies at a time of growing anxiety over Iran's exports.

A roaring rally in precious metals persisted on Wednesday as a weaker dollar and firmer oil pushed gold and silver to 25- and 23-year highs respectively and lifted platinum to a record peak.

A blistering four-year rally in crude oil shows no sign yet of running out of steam and crude could top $80 a barrel this year, boosting fuel costs for consumers and businesses, analysts said on Tuesday.