Precious metals end mixed

Gold rises for second consecutive day

After four successive sessions of drop, gold prices ended higher for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, 20 January, 2009. Prices rose as deep recession fears increased the appeal of the precious metals as a safe haven against alternatives. But a strong dollar limited gold's gains. Generally, a stronger dollar pressures demand for dollar-denominated commodities, such as crude oil and gold, which become more expensive for holders of other currencies and also vice versa. But silver prices dropped.

On Tuesday, Comex Gold for February delivery rose $15.3 (1.8%) to close at $855.2 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Last week, gold prices ended down by 1.8%. This year gold has lost 3.5% till date. On 17 March, 2008 prices had skyrocketed to a high of $1,034/ounce. But prices have dropped significantly (20%) since then.

On Tuesday, Comex silver futures for March delivery lost gained 4 cents (0.4%) to end at $11.175 an ounce. Last week, silver has lost 10.5 cents. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.

At the currency market on Tuesday, the U.S. dollar rose against its major rivals. Worries about the U.K. banking sector sent the British pound to a six-year low versus the U.S. dollar and an all-time low versus the Japanese yen.

In 2008, gold prices ended higher by 5.5%. The dollar index had gained 12% that year.

Last year, the weakening dollar and higher global demand for raw materials had led to records for commodities including gold. Gold reached a record in March 2008 as a U.S. housing slump and credit crisis spurred the Federal Reserve to slash borrowing costs. In the last move, the Federal Reserve has cuts its target bank lending rate to 0.25% from 5.25% in September, 2007. The Fed did it in nine steps.

Prior to 2008, gold had witnessed the greatest annual gain in twenty eight years by gaining $200/ounce (31%) in FY 2007 as lower interest rates had sent the dollar tumbling, and crude-oil prices rose to a record. Silver had climbed 16% in FY 2007. In 2006, silver had jumped 46% while gold gained 23%.

At the MCX, gold prices for February delivery closed higher by Rs 396 (3.02%) at Rs 13,493 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 13,637 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 13,001 per 10 grams during the day's trading.

At the MCX, silver prices for March delivery closed Rs 192 (1.05%) higher at Rs 18,444/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 18,192/kg and rose to a high of Rs 18,675/Kg during the day's trading.