LONDON, Oct 8: Shares have opened higher in Europe but retreated in Asia after US stocks sank to their first loss in eight days. The price of gold, which topped $4,000 per ounce for the first time on Tuesday, continued to rise, trading up nearly $58 at $4,062.10. Investors have traditionally seen gold as a hedge against high inflation. Its price has soared more than 50% this year because of governments’ huge debt loads, political uncertainties and anticipation that the Fed will cut interest rates. In France, the CAC 40 gained 0.6% to 8,021.50 as departing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, aiming to calm the political storm triggered by his resignation on Monday less than 24 hours after unveiling his ministers, raced to beat a deadline Wednesday to break a deadlock caused by his d

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