Precious metal prices ended lower on Tuesday, 21 July, 2009. Prices dropped today as the dollar strengthened today following Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony to the Congress.
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 Tuesday, gold for August delivery ended at $946.9, lower by $1.9 (0.2%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier it reached a high of $953.8. Last week, gold ended higher by 2.7%. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 6.7%.
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 Tuesday, Comex silver futures for September delivery fell 14.7 cents (1.1%) at $13.478 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 19.2% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
In the currency market on Tuesday, the dollar index, a six-currency gauge of the greenback's value, rose marginally by 0.1% today as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke testified before the Congress 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 19 (0.12%) at Rs 14,869 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 14,898 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 14,832 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for September delivery closed Rs 95 (0.42%) lower at Rs 22,178/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 22,320/kg and fell to a low of Rs 22,125/Kg during the day's trading.