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 April delivery ended at $1,085.7 an ounce, lower by $13.8 (1.3%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Last week, prices ended lower by 2.4%. Year to date in FY 2010, gold prices are lower by 0.8%.
Last year, after hitting a low at $807.30 per ounce on
On Wednesday, March Comex silver futures ended lower by 42 cents (2.5%) at $16.44 an ounce. Last week, silver ended lower by 8.1%. Year to date in FY 2010, silver has dropped by almost 2.2%.
Silver futures had hit a low at $10.42 on
The Federal Reserve's statement on
In the currency market on Wednesday, the dollar index, which weighs the strength of dollar against the basket of six other currencies rose marginally. The dollar gained almost 0.4% against the euro.
Gold had ended FY 2009 higher by 24%. Silver futures had ended 2009 up 50%. The dollar index had lost 4.2% against its counterparts last year.
At the MCX, gold prices for February delivery closed lower by Rs 22 (0.13%) at Rs 16,441 per ten grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 16,558 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 16,422 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for March delivery closed Rs 742 (2.8%) lower at Rs 26,071/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 26,751/kg and fell to a low of Rs 26,020/Kg during the day's trading.