Precious metal prices rose higher for second straight day on
Prices slipped last week due to impending worries from
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 Tuesday, gold for April delivery ended at $1,118 an ounce, higher by $13 (1.2%) an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Last week, gold lost 0.6%. For January 2010, gold lost 1.2%. Year to date, gold has gained 1.9%.
Last year, after hitting a low at $807.30 per ounce on
On Tuesday, March Comex silver futures ended higher by 8 cents (0.48%) at $16.74 an ounce. Last week, silver ended lower by 4.3%. In January 2010, silver shed 3.9%.Year to date in FY 2010, silver has dropped by almost 0.5%.
Silver futures had hit a low at $10.42 on
Among economic data expected for the day, The National Association of Realtors reported on
As per the report, the pending home sales index rose 1% in December after plunging 16.4% in November, with buyers reacting first to the expiration and then to the return of the tax credit. The index was up 10.9% compared with December 2008. In December, existing-home sales fell 16.7%.
Separately, the Commerce Department reported on
In the currency market on Tuesday, the dollar index, which weighs the strength of dollar against the basket of six other currencies fell by almost 0.3%.
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 April delivery closed higher by Rs 134 (0.85%) at Rs 16,754 per ten grams. Prices rose to a high of Rs 16,789 per 10 grams and fell to a low of Rs 16,562 per 10 grams during the day's trading.
At the MCX, silver prices for March delivery closed Rs 7 (0.02%) lower at Rs 26,061/Kg. Prices opened at Rs 26,051/kg and fell to a low of Rs 25,952/Kg during the day's trading.