Yellow metal prices fell on Monday, 24 August, 2009. Prices fell as the dollar strengthened. But silver prices managed to gain marginally.
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 $943.7, lower by $11 (1.2%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. During intra day trading, gold rose to a high of $958.5. Last week, gold ended higher by almost 0.6%. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 6.3%.
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%) since then.
On Monday, Comex silver futures for September delivery rose by 3.1 cents (0.2%) to $14.195 an ounce. Last week, silver ended lower by 3.9%.
Silver ended 2.7% higher for July, 2009. For second quarter, silver rose 4.5%. Year to date, silver has climbed 27.2% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
In the currency market on Monday, the dollar index which weighs the value of dollar against a basket of six other currencies, rose by 0.3%.
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 102 (0.7%) at Rs 14,911 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 15,084 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 14,790 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for September delivery closed Rs 61 (0.26%) higher at Rs 23,196/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 23,165/kg and rose to a high of Rs 23,496/Kg during the day's trading.