Bullion metals lose some luster

Prices drop as the dollar fluctuates

Precious metal prices fell at USA on Monday, 29 June, 2009. Prices fell today as the dollar fluctuated throughout the course of the day. The dollar traded higher against its counterparts earlier during the day but then fell.

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.

On Monday, gold for August delivery ended at $940.7, lower by $0.30 (0.03%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier during the day, it hit a high of $943.2. Last week, gold ended higher by 1%. This was the first weekly gain for the yellow metal in four weeks. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 7%.

For the month of June, 2009, gold is still down by 4% on a m-t-d basis. Gold had ended the month of May higher by 9.8%. It was the highest monthly gain registered by gold in six months. Before this, gold had suffered losses in prior two months. For the month of April and March, 2009, gold had lost 3.7% and 2.1% respectively. But the metal gained 4.3% in the first quarter of this year.

On 17 March, 2008 prices had skyrocketed to a high of $1,034/ounce. But prices have dropped somewhat (8.9%) since then.

On Monday, Comex silver futures for July delivery fell 18.1 cents (1.3%) at $13.847 an ounce. Last week, silver ended lower by 0.5%. For the month of May, silver gained 26.6%. It was the biggest monthly gain for silver in more than two decades. Year to date, silver has climbed 28.2% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.

In the currency market on Monday, the euro strengthened against the dollar. Earlier, the dollar was slightly higher after China' central bank governor ruled out any "sudden" changes to its foreign-exchange reserves.

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

At the MCX, gold prices for August delivery closed lower by Rs 34 (0.23%) at Rs 14,609 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 14,649 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 14,553 per 10 grams during the day's trading.

At the MCX, silver prices for July delivery closed Rs 253 (1.11%) lower at Rs 22,351/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 22,530/kg and fell to a low of Rs 22,252/Kg during the day's trading.