Gold prices declined in three of four days during the abbreviated trading week, extending a string of weekly losses to two. Gold this week fell $39.40, or 2.3 percent, after having given up $63, or 3.5 percent, last week.
In closing Friday, gold prices shed $10.20, or 0.6 percent, to $1,685.70 an ounce in the December futures contract on the Comex in New York. The yellow metal traded between $1,672.60 and $1,702.70. Strength in the U.S. dollar was a predominating factor in the bearish attitude toward bullion for much of the week.
"[Gold] prices could still gap in either direction depending upon events in the euro zone and the fortunes of the U.S. dollar, which remains the safe haven of choice amid a flight to safety, quality and liquidity," said Credit Agricole analyst Robin Bhar in a note, according to MarketWatch.
"Gold is under-performing as investors are more concerned about return of capital rather than the return on capital, a situation last seen during the great financial crisis of 2008-2009."
Gold’s direction stumped many analysts as sentiment for this week had leaned bullish last Friday. Most participants in the newest gold survey conducted by Kitco News are forecasting higher prices next week.
"Gold prices may rebound next week as investors with longer-term outlooks could see value in the yellow metal at these levels, according to some participants in the weekly Kitco News Gold Survey.
In the Kitco News Gold Survey, out of 32 participants, 18 responded this week. Of those 18 participants, 10 see prices up, while five see prices down, and three see prices sideways or unchanged…
Many who see higher prices next week said the longer-term fundamentals remain in gold’s favor and the recent weaker prices have offered those types of buyers a more attractive entry point. ‘Despite the difficulties this week, long term…"
The previous survey had participants looking for higher gold prices by a margin of 13 to 10. It was a second straight weekly miss by the majority.
Gold prices have advanced $264.300, or 18.6 percent, in 2011.
Weekly Losses in other Precious Metals Futures
Palladium led the percentage declines among the major metals this week with a loss of 5.8 percent. Silver was right behind at 4.3 percent followed by platinum at 3.5 percent.
Silver prices for December delivery lost 87.0 cents, or 2.7 percent, to finish the week at $31.014 an ounce. Prices touched an intraday low of $30.935 and reached as high as $32.220. In dollar terms, silver plunged $1.40 on the week, erasing most of its gains this year which now tally to a meager 7.7 cents.
Platinum prices for January delivery declined $25.20, or 1.6 percent, to $1,533.10 an ounce, ranging between $1,526.10 and $1,565.80. Platinum in 2011 has fallen $245.10, or 13.8 percent.
Palladium prices for December delivery closed down $19.75, or 3.3 percent, to $570.10 an ounce, trading from $566.65 to $590.00. Palladium this year has stumbled $233.40, or 29.0 percent.
London Precious Metals
London metals also ended lower. When comparing London fixings on Friday (PM) from those on Thursday (PM):
- Gold prices dipped $4.00 to $1,688.50 an ounce,
- Silver declined 70.0 cents to $31.24 an ounce,
- Platinum fell $14.00 to $1,529.00 an ounce, and
- Palladium lost $11.00 to $572.00 an ounce
Like palladium futures in New York, London palladium was the biggest weekly percentage loser. It dropped 5.9 percent. Platinum came down 4.1 percent. Silver and gold followed with respective weekly losses of 3.1 percent and 1.8 percent.
U.S. Mint Bullion Coin Weekly Sales
Buying activity on Friday increased for the three major U.S. Mint bullion coins. Each of the Mint’s one-ounce coins rose. But on a weekly scale, only the one-ounce American Gold Eagle put up solid numbers at 17,500, more than double the amount it had climbed through the first 18 days in November.
The Mint’s most popular bullion coin, the American Silver Eagle, continues to limp forward. It rose 140,000 on the week which was a just tad more than half of the previous weekly total. More telling, on a monthly basis the coin has only gained 984,000. Sales would have to rise by more than 1.78 million in the remaining days of November for the month to shake away as the slowest of the year.
The newest daily, weekly, monthly, and year-to-date U.S. Mint bullion coin sales follow:
| Sales of U.S. Mint American Eagle and Buffalo Bullion Coins | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Gains | Prior Weekly | Weekly Gains | November Gains | YTD 2011 | |
| American Gold Eagle Coin (1 oz.) | 12,000 | 7,500 | 17,500 | 33,500 | 839,500 |
| American Gold Eagle Coin (1/2 oz.) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65,000 |
| American Gold Eagle Coin (1/4 oz.) | 0 | 0 | 2,000 | 4,000 | 82,000 |
| American Gold Eagle Coin (1/10 oz.) | 0 | 10,000 | 5,000 | 15,000 | 370,000 |
| American Gold Buffalo Coin (1 oz.) | 2,000 | 2,500 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 153,000 |
| American Silver Eagle (1 oz.) | 100,000 | 278,000 | 140,000 | 984,000 | 37,459,500 |
| Sales of America the Beautiful 5 Oz. Silver Bullion Coins* | ||
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Gains | YTD 2011 | |
| Gettysburg National Military Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | n/a – sold out | 126,700 |
| Glacier National Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | n/a – sold out | 126,700 |
| Olympic National Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | 0 | 83,300 |
| Vicksburg National Military Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | 0 | 32,200 |
| Chickasaw Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | 0 | 24,400 |
| TOTAL | 0 | 393,300 |
*The United States Mint does not provide daily sales figures for its 5-ounce silver coins. The sales are current as of Friday, November 18, 2011.
The kitco babe pulls her forecasts out of a hat. Go back a few weeks and check.. Last week it was to steady; it dropped, the week before it was to rise; it fell. I have followed her ‘lack’ of insight for some time. If 80% sounds good… Go against what she says on Friday 80% of the time you will be correct. Seriously, check out her forecasts for the past TWO months. She’s wrong, wrong and wrong! She is obviously the daughter of P. Wylie the Forum honcho. Her forecast ability wouldn’t get her a job. Even a blind… Read more »