Bullion metals shed much of their glitter

Prices fall the most in a month

Precious metal prices turned extremely dull on Wednesday, 20 January 2010. Prices fell as the dollar headed up strongly. Prices also fell in tandem with the slipping crude price.

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 Wednesday, gold for February delivery ended at $1,112.6 an ounce, lower by $27.4 (2.4%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the biggest drop for the yellow metal in more than a month. Last week, it ended higher by 0.4%. Year to date in FY 2010, gold has risen by almost 1.7%.

Last year, after hitting a low at $807.30 per ounce on 15 January 2009, gold futures rallied almost 51% to hit an all-time high at $1217.40 per ounce during early December of 2009 but fell from those levels at the end.

On Wednesday, March Comex silver futures ended lower by 92 cents (4.9%) at $17.88 an ounce. Last week, silver ended higher by 0.5%. Year to date in FY 2010, silver has risen by almost 7.2%.

Silver futures had hit a low at $10.42 on 15 January 2009 and hit a high at $19.30 per ounce on 2 December 2009. Like gold, silver also ended lower than its all time high level.

In the currency market on Wednesday, the dollar index, which weighs the strength of dollar against the basket of six other currencies rose by almost 1.1%. The dollar strengthened on fears that China will curb bank lending. The China Banking Regulatory Commission said it hasn't "specifically" told banks to suspend lending in January, but a report said that it had asked several banks to stop issuing loans.

Gold had ended FY 2009 higher by 24%. Silver futures had ended 2009 up 50%. The dollar index had lost 4.2% against its counterparts last year.

At the MCX, gold prices for February delivery closed lower by Rs 253 (1.5%) at Rs 16,680 per ten grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 16,925 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 16,642 per 10 grams during the day's trading.

At the MCX, silver prices for March delivery closed Rs 896 (3.1%) lower at Rs 27,769/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 28,636/kg and fell to a low of Rs 27,683/Kg during the day's trading.