Minor gains for precious metals

Economic reports take bullion metals higher

Precious metal prices registered little gains on Tuesday, 14 July, 2009. Prices rose as better than expected retail sales data in Wall Street sent some optimistic picture about the current economy. The weak dollar was also responsible for precious metal prices end ing higher today.

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 Tuesday, gold for August delivery ended at $922.8, higher by $0.30 (0.03%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Last week, gold ended lower by 1.6%. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 4.5%.

For the month of June, 2009, gold ended down by 5.4%. Gold had ended the month of May higher by 9.8%. It was the highest monthly gain registered by gold in six months. For the second quarter, gold ended higher by 0.5%. The metal had 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 (11%) since then.

On Tuesday, Comex silver futures for September delivery rose 7 cents (0.5%) at $12.855 an ounce.

Silver ended 13% down for the month of June, 2009. For the month of May, silver gained 26.6%. It was the biggest monthly gain for silver in more than two decades. For second quarter, silver rose 4.5%. Year to date, silver has climbed 14.4% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.

In the currency market on Tuesday, the dollar index, which weighs the dollar against a basket of six other currencies fell by almost 0.3% earlier during the day. But then, it recovered to end almost flat.

The Commerce Department reported on Tuesday, 14 July, 2009 that retail sales in US rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in June, the strongest sales report since January's 1.7% increase.

In a separate report, the Labor Department reported on Tuesday, 14 July, 2009 that U.S. producer prices rose 1.8% in June, 2009. It climbed the most since November 2007.

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 higher by Rs 60 (0.41%) at Rs 14,656 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 14,690 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 14,566 per 10 grams during the day's trading.

At the MCX, silver prices for September delivery closed Rs 135 (0.63%) higher at Rs 21,533/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 21,440/kg and rose to a high of Rs 21,653/Kg during the day's trading.