Yellow metal prices fell once again on Monday, 10 August, 2009. Prices fell as the dollar continued to strengthen and also due to lower investment demand.
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 December delivery ended at $946.9, lower by $12.6 (1.3%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Last week, gold ended higher by almost 0.4%. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 6.5%.
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 (11.6%) since then.
On Monday, Comex silver futures for September delivery lost 31.3 cents (2.1%) at $14.355 an ounce. Last week, silver ended higher by 5.2%.
Silver ended 2.7% higher for July, 2009. For second quarter, silver rose 4.5%. Year to date, silver has climbed 29.6% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
In the currency market on Monday, the dollar index, a six-currency gauge of the greenback's value, rose by almost 0.6%.
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 lower by Rs 127 (0.85%) at Rs 14,741 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 14,857 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 14,690 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for September delivery closed Rs 355 (1.51%) lower at Rs 23,031/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 23,360/kg and fell to a low of Rs 22,893/Kg during the day's trading.