Precious metal prices ended higher on Monday, 20 July, 2009. Weak dollar and higher crude prices increased the appeal of precious metals as a hedge against inflation.
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 Monday, gold for August delivery ended at $948.8, higher by $11.3 (1.2%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier it reached a high of $955.4. Last week, gold ended higher by 2.7%. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 6.9%.
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 (10%) since then.
On Monday, Comex silver futures for September delivery rose 22.2 cents (1.7%) at $13.625 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 20.3% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
In the currency market on Monday, the U.S. Dollar Index, a six-currency gauge of the greenback's value, fell to a six-week low on speculation that European and U.S. economic reports this week will show the global recession is easing. The dollar index slipped by 1.1% today.
Crude prices rose by almost 2% to $64.9/barrel today.
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 87 (0.6%) at Rs 14,850 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 14,914 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 14,772 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for September delivery closed Rs 222 (1%) higher at Rs 22,273/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 22,085/kg and rose to a high of Rs 22,395/Kg during the day's trading.