Precious metal prices continued to turn pale on Thursday, 24 September, 2009. Prices fell today after dollar firmed up following weaker than expected housing report.
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 Thursday, gold for December delivery ended at $998.9, lower by $15.5 (1.5%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier during the day, it rose to a high of $1,021 and also fell to a low of $991.3 during intra day trading. Last week, gold ended higher by 0.4%. Year to date, gold prices are higher by 13.5%.
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 (4.3%) since then.
On Thursday, Comex silver futures for December delivery fell 61 cents (3.6%) to $16.31 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 45.2% this year. For 2008, silver had lost 24%.
In the currency market on Thursday, the dollar index, which measures the strength of dollar against a basket of other currencies, rose by almost 0.6%.
The National Association of Realtors in US reported on Thursday, 24 September, 2009 that resales of U.S. homes dropped 2.7% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.1 million, the first decline in five months. Sales fell in three of four regions last month, with only the West showing a small increase of 2.7%.
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 238 (1.5%) at Rs 15,599 per 10 grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 15,870 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 15,550 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for December delivery closed Rs 905 (3.3%) lower at Rs 26,232/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 27,095/kg and fell to a low of Rs 26,155/Kg during the day's trading.