Gold futures advanced for a second straight day and to a six-week high Thursday as its appeal intensified following an unexpected interest rate cut by the European Central Bank which reignited inflation chatter.
"Gold has started to revert back into its role as a safe-haven play and this (rate cut) is not changing that," Reuters quoted Ole Hansen, senior manager at Saxo Bank. "Also it’s indicating that we’re going to see lower rates for longer in the future and that is obviously the main supporting factor for gold."
Gold prices jumped $35.50, or 2.1 percent, to $1,765.10 an ounce in the December futures contract on the Comex in New York. The close was gold’s best since September 21. Prices on the day traded between $1,724.00 and $1,768.30 — the highest intraday point for the metal since September 22.
"We are entering a period of more accommodative global central-bank monetary policy, and this boosts the commodity trade in general, but it has a double effect of reducing the attractiveness of various fiat currencies, which benefits gold," Scott Gardner, the chief investment officer at Verdmont Capital SA in Panama, said in an e-mail which was cited on Businessweek.
Silver prices for December delivery rose 55.5 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $34.498 an ounce, ranging between $33.270 and $34.905.
Platinum prices for January delivery gained $45.70, or 2.9 percent, to settle at $1,647.00 an ounce. Platinum moved from $1,587.50 to $1,648.00.
Palladium prices for December delivery advanced $13.45, or 2.1 percent, to close at $662.10 an ounce. Palladium traded between $636.60 and $674.50.
London Precious Metals
In London Fix comparisons from Wednesday (PM) to Thursday (PM), gold rose $15.00 to $1,758.00 an ounce, silver prices advanced 89.0 cents to $34.72 an ounce, platinum added $16.00 to $1,625.00 an ounce, and palladium rose $15.00 to $661.00 an ounce.
U.S. Mint Bullion Coin Sales
Sales levels for U.S. Mint bullion coins remained unchanged for a second straight day. The latest daily, monthly, and year-to-date U.S. Mint bullion coin sales figures follow:
| Sales of U.S. Mint American Eagle and Buffalo Bullion Coins | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Gains | November Gains | YTD 2011 | |
| Gold Eagle Coin (1 oz.) | 0 | 4,000 | 810,000 |
| Gold Eagle Coin (1/2 oz.) | 0 | 0 | 65,000 |
| Gold Eagle Coin (1/4 oz.) | 0 | 2,000 | 80,000 |
| Gold Eagle Coin (1/10 oz.) | 0 | 0 | 355,000 |
| Gold Buffalo Coin (1 oz.) | 0 | 500 | 145,500 |
| American Silver Eagle (1 oz.) | 0 | 25,000 | 36,500,500 |
| Sales of America the Beautiful 5 Oz. Silver Bullion Coins* | |
|---|---|
| YTD 2011 |
|
| Gettysburg National Military Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | 126,700 |
| Glacier National Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | 126,700 |
| Olympic National Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | 82,700 |
| Vicksburg National Military Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | 31,600 |
| Chickasaw Park 5 oz. Silver Coin | 22,300 |
| TOTAL | 390,000 |
*The as of date for sales of U.S. Mint America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins is Monday, October 31, 2011. The Mint does not typically publish daily sales for its 5-ounce coins.
