Precious metal prices rose on Friday, 28 August, 2009. Prices rose as depressed economic data 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 Friday, gold for December delivery ended at $958.8, higher by $11.5 (1.4%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. For the week, gold ended higher by almost 0.4%. 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 (7.1%) since then.
On Friday, Comex silver futures for September delivery rose by 56.4 cents (4%) to $14.784 an ounce. For the week, silver ended higher by 4.3%.
Silver ended 2.7% higher for July, 2009. For second quarter, silver rose 4.5%. Year to date, silver has climbed 31.8% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
Among economic reports expected on Friday, data showed that U.S. personal incomes were unchanged in July as consumer spending increased 0.2%, led by higher outlays for autos and other durable goods. In a separate report, the University of Michigan/Reuters survey showed that U.S. consumer sentiment improved in late August, but not by enough to exceed the reading from July, 2009.
In 2008, gold prices ended higher by 5.5%. The dollar index had gained 12% that year.