Precious metal prices ended lower for third straight day on Monday, 21 September, 2009. Prices fell as dollar firmed up ahead of Federal Reserve's two day meet starting tomorrow.
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 September delivery ended at $1003.7, lower by $5.5 (0.5%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. During intra day trading, it fell to a low of $998. Last week, gold ended higher by 0.4%. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 15%.
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 (2.8%) since then.
On Monday, Comex silver futures for December delivery fell 18.5 cents (1.1%) to $16.88 an ounce. Last week, silver ended higher by 2.2%.
Silver ended 7.1% higher for August, 2009. For second quarter, silver rose 4.5%. Year to date, silver has climbed 47.4% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
In the currency market on Monday, the dollar index, which measures the strength of dollar against a basket of other currencies, rose by 0.5%.
Federal Reserve starts its two day meet on monetary policy tomorrow. The FOMC will release on Wednesday a statement on monetary policy that may clarify how the central bank plans to unwind its quantitative easing programs.
In 2008, gold prices ended higher by 5.5%. The dollar index had gained 12% that year.