Precious metal prices ended substantially higher on Wednesday, 02 September, 2009. Prices rose as the dollar dropped following a disappointing private sector job report thereby increasing the appeal of precious metals as a safe haven against other investment alternatives.
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 Wednesday, gold for December delivery ended at $978.5, higher by $22 (2.3%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It rose as high as $981.4 earlier. Last week, gold ended higher by almost 0.4%. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 11.4%.
Gold ended August, 2009 higher by 0.2%. 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 (5%) since then.
On Wednesday, Comex silver futures for September delivery rose by 30.5 cents (2%) to $15.365 an ounce. Last week, silver ended higher by 4.3%.
Silver ended 7.1% higher for August, 2009. For second quarter, silver rose 4.5%. Year to date, silver has climbed 35.5% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
In the currency market on Wednesday, the dollar index, which weighs the strength of dollar, against a basket of six other currencies ended slid by 0.5%.
Among economic reports expected on Wednesday, a private sector payrolls report indicated that employment in the U.S. private sector fell by 298,000 in August.
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 316 (2.1%) at Rs 15,519 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 15,546 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 15,180 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for December delivery closed Rs 461 (1.9%) higher at Rs 24,953/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 24,410/kg and rose to a high of Rs 25,101/Kg during the day's trading.