Gold advanced 1.4% Monday, registering two straight rallying sessions that have added $43.10 to the yellow metal’s price since Thursday.
Gold prices rose on the day after Fed chairmen Ben Bernanke said that the U.S. must have faster growth to lower the unemployment rate further and that continued stimulus policies are a needed.
"To the extent that this reversal has been complete, further significant improvements in the unemployment rate will likely require a more rapid expansion of production and demand from consumers and businesses, a process that can be supported by continued accommodative policies," Bernanke said before the National Association for Business Economics.
April gold prices rallied $23.20 to $1,685.60 an ounce on the Comex in New York, ranging from an intraday low of $1,655.10 to a high of $1,687.80.
"The market is reacting to Bernanke’s comments, as it brings the back specter of QE3," Frank McGhee, the head dealer at Integrated Brokerage Services LLC in Chicago, said in a telephone interview that was relayed on Bloomberg. "If you end up with any type of stimulus, that will benefit all metals."
Last week gold edged 0.4% higher. It was the only precious metal to log a weekly gain. Despite two straight session increases, outlook for gold remains fairly cautious with the month and quarter ending Friday.
"If the dollar is going to strengthen over the next couple of days, gold should see more downward pressure," Reuters quoted Standard Bank analyst Walter de Wet.
Silver prices for May delivery rose 47.8 cents, or 1.5%, to $32.75 an ounce, trading between $32.02 and $32.89.
Platinum prices for April delivery gained $18.80, or 1.2%, to $1,646.70 an ounce, ranging from $1,620.60 to $1,649.30.
Palladium prices for June delivery tacked on $8.85, or 1.3%, to $668.75 an ounce, moving between $658.00 and $674.75.
Last week, silver, platinum and palladium futures losses came to respective percentages of 1.0%, 2.8% and 6.0%.
London Precious Metals
London precious metals started the week aggressively higher as well. When comparing the most recent London PM fixings:
- Gold gained $16.25, or 1.0%, to $1,680.25 an ounce,
- Silver prices advanced 32.23 cents, or 2.2%, to $32.23 an ounce,
- Platinum added $22.00, or 1.4%, to $1,639.00 an ounce, and
- Palladium rose, $6.00, or 0.9%, to $664.00 an ounce
Last week, gold had climbed 0.4% while other metals fell to include losses of 2.3% for silver, 3.6% for platinum and 6.4% for palladium.
U.S. Mint Bullion Coins
Sales of U.S. Mint bullion coins were limited Monday to the bureau’s silver coins. The American Silver Eagle climbed 250,000 following a pickup of 275,000 on Friday. Sales are quickly approaching the 10 million mark for the year. Also advancing were America the Beautiful Five Ounce Bullion Silver Coins. The .999 fine silver coins rose 400, their first increase since March 12.
The following are the most recent daily, weekly, monthly and year-to-date bullion coin totals as published by the U.S. Mint.
| Sales of U.S. Mint American Eagle and Buffalo Bullion Coins | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Gains | March Gains | YTD 2012 | |
| American Gold Eagles (1 oz.) | 0 | 39,500 | 144,000 |
| American Gold Eagles (1/2 oz.) | 0 | 2,000 | 51,000 |
| American Gold Eagles (1/4 oz.) | 0 | 0 | 40,000 |
| American Gold Eagles (1/10 oz.) | 0 | 30,000 | 120,000 |
| American Gold Buffalo Coin (1 oz.) | 0 | 23,000 | 43,500 |
| American Eagle Silver Coins | 250,000 | 2,387,000 | 9,984,000 |
| Sales of America the Beautiful 5 Oz. Bullion Silver Coins | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Prior Weekly | Weekly Gains | All-Time Total | |
| Olympic National Park 5 oz. Silver Coins | 0 | 200 | 85,100 |
| Vicksburg National Military Park 5 oz. Silver Coins | 0 | 200 | 38,300 |
| Chickasaw Park 5 oz. Silver Coins | 0 | 0 | 28,700 |
| TOTAL | 0 | 400 | 151,700 |
All bullion sales in the above tables are in number of coins sold, not in the amount of ounces sold.
Is there and reason not to hold Gold beyond the end of the year? What tracking methods does the Government plan to implement?
You know Bernake must think he has a magic wand , cos when he says something about the economy the precious metals prices move up or down, last week it was down , this week its up, really we should ignore what he has to say, and just realise it doesnt mater only if youre in for the long run, which you should be!!