The market indices posted choppy trends during the initial half of the last trading week as global and home based economic data in the U.S. was mixed. Stock indicators ran mixed for the majority of the week, but swung higher in significant fashion on the last trading session of the week due primarily to the positively skewed jobs data which posted.


Gold and silver price per ounce trend-lines dropped lower in noteworthy fashion during the last session, but ended the week discrepant by approximately 6 tenths on opposite sides of break-even. Gold price trend-line finished the week on the positive side of break-even by approximately .5 percent. Silver price trend-line finished the last week overall lower by approximately .1 percent. The better than expected jobs data, paired with the Feds reiteration to support the U.S. economy in the future if need via QE3, reduced safe haven interest appetite.

One month change analysis for precious metal gold and silver price trends:

Gold and silver price trends are distinctly positive over the course of the last several weeks overall. Gold contract price trend-line is positive by approximately 6.9 percent according to one month change analysis. Silver contract price trend-line is currently positive by approximately 15.7 percent according to one month change analysis. Recent gold price closed at 1740.30 per troy ounce and silver contract closed at 33.75 per troy ounce.

Camillo Zucari

Price of gold and silver slipped as the last trading week unfolded. Spot gold and spot silver price trend-lines tracked negatively during the course of the last trading session as precious metal prices posted significant losses.

Spot gold and spot silver prices suffered due, in part, to the better than expected U.S. jobs data. The U.S. national unemployment rate dropped lower in noteworthy fashion for January and the Federal Reserve reissued statements supporting a potential QE3 in the future if needed. Investors were overwhelmed with a wave of additional confidence and optimism regarding U.S. economic recovery and growth and these feelings diverted investors away from positioning with safe haven metals like gold and silver. As a result, spot gold and spot silver prices dropped lower to end the last week of trading.

Spot gold price per gram, spot gold price per kilo trends today:
Spot gold price per gram recently posted lower by 1.07 at 55.41. Spot gold price per kilo recently posted lower by 1070.62 at 55411.81.

Spot silver price per ounce and spot silver price per kilo trends today:

Spot silver price per ounce posted red by .56 at 33.62 and spot silver price per kilo was lower by 17.91 at 1080.84.

Camillo Zucari

Gold Price per ounce and Silver price per ounce trends slid lower during the final trading session of this week.

The safe haven appeal of precious metals diminished as the glare of the positive jobs report in the U.S. diverted investors attention. Both precious metals were tracking negatively at the halfway point in the last trading session and the negative trends continued to the end of day close. Ultimately, gold and silver contracts finished on the negative side of break-even for the day.

Economic News Affects Gold and Silver Price Outcomes:

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, as well as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 indices, spiked to marks not seen in years to end the last trading session. The Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added 243,000 jobs in January and the national unemployment rate fell lower to 8.3 percent. The national unemployment rate fell to a mark not seen since 2009. The dollar rose against a handful of other currencies. All of the above pressured precious metal gold and silver positioning.

Gold Price per ounce Silver Price per ounce Close Review:

Gold contract for April delivery finished the last trading session red by 1.08 percent at 1740.30 per troy ounce.

Silver contract for March delivery finished the last trading session red by 1.25 percent at 33.75 per troy ounce.

Spot gold price per gram and spot silver price per ounce:

Spot gold and spot silver price trends were tracking negatively after last session close. Spot gold price per gram was red by 1.07 at 55.41 and spot silver price per ounce was red by .56 at 33.62.

Camillo Zucari

The DJIA, as well as the Nasdaq and the S&P 500, tracked positively during the opening month of 2012. Investors were hoping to observe the positive trends for the Dow Jones and other indices continue into February, but the first couple days of February trading culminated in mixed outcomes.

The eurozone debt crisis continued to weigh index trends down, and home based mixed economic reports kept investors uncertain. The positive momentum of January’s stock trends appeared to be dissipating. But then the much awaited jobs data posted last session and provided news that would lift indices and investors’ confidence.

Government data revealed that the national unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent which was far better than most analysts were anticipating. The rate drop marked one of the lowest since 2009. The news sparked a broad based rally throughout the U.S. marketplace. The Dow Jones Industrial Average touched its highest mark since 2008. The primary indices in the U.S. surged into the green across the board. According the data posting via the Labor Department, the U.S. economy added 243,000 jobs in January. This mark was almost double what many economists were predicting and approximately 850,000 better than the previous month. In addition to this positively skewed data, the Institute for Supply Management reported that its non-manufacturing index rose higher to 56.8 which equaled one of its best readings on the year. Most economists perceive any ISM index mark over 50 as a positive reading. Friday’s data was a very positive way to end a week that needed data to tip the scales. This news definitely skewed the scale positive.

Today’s Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, S&P 500 Index Marks:

When the closing bell finally rang, the Dow was posting at a four year high and the Nasdaq finished at an eleven year high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed out the day higher by 1.23 percent at 12,862.23. The Nasdaq finished the day higher by 1.61 percent at 2,905.66. The S&P 500 finished the day higher by 1.46 percent at 1,344.90. The much stronger than expected jobs report helped lift indices to relative highs.

Frank Matto

Oil prices continued to track higher as the propaganda relating to oil sanctions from the West remained newsworthy last session.

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini warned again that the West, specifically the U.S., would suffer irreparable damage to associated interests if the oil sanctions continue, and/or if strikes are carried out against perceived Iranian nuclear sites. These words were the most potent posting via the Iranian leader and officials are becoming more concerned that hostility may be drawing nearer. The volatility associated with the situation continues to push oil prices.

Oil Prices and Gas Price Close Review Last Session:

Light Crude Oil for March delivery finished the last session higher by 1.54 percent and posted a close price at 97.84 per barrel.

One month change analysis for Light Crude oil price trend-line is currently negative by approximately 5.34 percent.

March contract Heating Oil finished the final trading session of the week higher by 2.01 percent at 3.11 per gallon.

Natural Gas March contract closed lower by 2.15 percent at 2.50 per million BTUs.

Unleaded Gas closed the session green by 1.59 percent at 2.91 per gallon.

Camillo Zucari

Gold and Silver price trends were posting higher at the mid-day mark of the last trading session, and the trending continued through end of day close. The dollar rose higher during the session which pressured gold, and the drop in jobless claims pressured gold’s safe haven appeal. According to the Labor Department, U.S. jobless claims fell to 367,000 for the week ended Jan. 28.

On the flip side, the Challenger, Gray & Christmas report revealed that planned job cuts in the U.S. pushed higher by 28 percent in January. The volatility could breed uncertainty and the uncertainty could increase interest in safe have positioning.

Gold and Silver Price per ounce rates:

Both gold and silver contracts finished the last session on the positive side of break-even. Gold for April delivery closed the session higher by .56 percent at 1759.30 per troy ounce. Silver contract finished the last session higher by 1.09 percent at 34.18 per troy ounce.

Spot gold price per gram and spot silver price per ounce trends:

After last session close and prior to today’s opening bell, both spot gold price per gram trends and spot silver price per ounce trends were tracking positively. Spot gold price per gram posted higher by .30 at 56.47 and spot silver price per ounce was higher by .36 and posted at 34.17.

Camillo Zucari