Prices for precious metals increased on Thursday after they declined on Wednesday. Gold posted a six-month settlement high.
Gold for February delivery increased $10.20, or 0.6%, to settle at $1,826 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The close was the highest since Jun 24.
"Gold and silver prices are higher in midday trading Thursday, supported by a sell-off in the U.S. dollar index on this day. Bullish near-term chart postures for both metals continue to invite the technically based speculators to the long sides," Jim Wyckoff, a senior analyst at Kitco Inc, said in a daily research note.
Gold futures traded between $1,811.20 and $1,827.30. They shed 0.4% on Wednesday and they rose 1.1% in their start to the trading week on Tuesday.
Silver for March delivery tacked on 41 cents, or 1.7%, to end at $24.25 an ounce. The settlement was the highest since Dec. 20. Silver futures ranged from $23.69 to $24.28. They dropped 1.6% on Wednesday and they gained 1.2% on Tuesday.
In other precious metals prices on Thursday:
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April platinum gained $44.80, or 4.4% to $1,065 an ounce, trading between $1,016.60 and $1,072.60.
- Palladium for March delivery gained $31.40, or 1.8%, to $1,816.10 an ounce, ranging from $1,752.50 to $1,842.
US Mint Bullion Sales in 2022
Representing their first published gains since Nov. 21, United States Mint bullion sales increased on Thursday by 4,000 ounces in American Gold Eagles and by 59,000 ounces in American Silver Eagles.
Published United States Mint bullion sales last changed on Nov. 21. Below is a sales breakdown of U.S. Mint bullion products with columns listing the number of coins sold during varying periods.
| US Mint Bullion Sales (# of coins) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | July | August | September | October | November | 2022 Sales | |
| $50 American Eagle 1 Oz Gold Coin | 4,000 | 59,500 | 47,500 | 47,500 | 59,500 | 6,000 | 850,000 |
| $25 American Eagle 1/2 Oz Gold Coin | 0 | 5,000 | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 | 0 | 75,000 |
| $10 American Eagle 1/4 Oz Gold Coin | 0 | 2,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 2,000 | 0 | 140,000 |
| $5 American Eagle 1/10 Oz Gold Coin | 0 | 20,000 | 20,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 0 | 575,000 |
| $50 American Buffalo 1 Oz Gold Coin | 0 | 39,500 | 22,500 | 44,500 | 39,500 | 4,500 | 410,000 |
| $1 American Eagle 1 Oz Silver Coin | 59,000 | 850,000 | 850,000 | 833,000 | 1,258,000 | 1,407,000 | 15,963,500 |
| $100 American Eagle 1 Oz Platinum Coin | 0 | 15,500 | 1,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 80,000 |
