Bullion metals shine

Prices rise as dollar slips

Precious metal prices shone on Wednesday, 13 January 2010. Prices rose as the dollar stayed relatively weak for the entire day though at the end, it just managed to pare most of its losses.

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 $1,136.8 an ounce, higher by $7.4 (0.65%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Last week, it had ended higher 3.9%. Year to date in FY 2010, gold has risen by almost 3.8%.

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 higher by 42 cents (2.3%) at $18.67 an ounce. Last week, silver ended higher by 9.6%. Year to date in FY 2010, silver has risen by almost 10.7%.

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 fell by almost 0.2%.

The Fed's latest Beige Book stated today that economic activity is still low in US, but improving. It also stated that credit quality is still worsening, though.

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 85 (0.5%) at Rs 16,793 per ten grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 16,848 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 16,655 per 10 grams during the day's trading.

At the MCX, silver prices for March delivery closed Rs 305 (1.1%) higher at Rs 28,298/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 28,030/kg and rose to a high of Rs 28,349/Kg during the day's trading.