By Halia Pavliva

Sept. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Platinum rose to a record $1,363 an ounce as the dollar weakened against the euro, boosting the precious metal's appeal as an alternative investment. Palladium was little changed.

Before today, platinum gained 19 percent this year, while the dollar fell 7.2 percent against the euro. The dollar was trading near a record low against the euro today after a U.S. government report showed orders for durable goods fell last month more than economists forecast.

``When you look at limited supply and strong global demand, the sky is the limit'' for platinum as the dollar slumps, said Ron Goodis, futures trading director at Equidex Brokerage Group Inc. in Closter, New Jersey.

Platinum futures for January delivery gained $1.20 to $1,359 an ounce at 9:51 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The previous record was $1,353.80 on May 7.

Palladium futures for December delivery fell 20 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $342 an ounce. Before today, the metal gained 1.3 percent this year.

The dollar fell to a record low of $1.4162 per euro before paring losses.

To contact the reporter on this story: Halia Pavliva in New York at hpavliva@bloomberg.net .