Precious metal prices fell on Thursday, 06 August, 2009. Prices fell as the dollar strengthened as central banks in Europe continued to loosen their monetary policy.
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 Thursday, gold for August delivery ended at $960.70, lower by $3.5 (0.4%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. During intra day trading, it hit a high of $971.7. Last week, gold ended almost unchanged. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 8.2%.
Gold ended July, 2009 higher by 2.8%. Before this, 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 (9.9%) since then.
On Thursday, Comex silver futures for September delivery fell 11.5 cents (0.8%) at $14.645 an ounce. Last week, silver ended higher by 0.5%.
Silver ended 2.7% higher for July, 2009. For second quarter, silver rose 4.5%. Year to date, silver has climbed 31.5% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
In the currency market on Thursday, the dollar index, a six-currency gauge of the greenback's value, rose by almost 0.5%.
The Labor Department reported today those first-time claims for state unemployment benefits declined by 38,000 to 550,000 last week. The four-week average of new jobless claims dropped to 555,250, the lowest level since January.
In 2008, gold prices ended higher by 5.5%. The dollar index had gained 12% that year.
At the MCX, gold prices for October delivery closed higher by Rs 3 (0.02%) at Rs 14,915 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 15,020 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 14,865 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for September delivery closed Rs 15 (0.06%) lower at Rs 23,372/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 23,350/kg and fell to a low of Rs 23,263/Kg during the day's trading.