8-31-06 -- Iran defies, gold rises -LISTEN
Gold prices moved to a one-week high Thursday as Iran defied a UN deadline to curb its nuclear program, increasing demand for the metal as a haven. Gold closed in NY up $7.80 to $625.00/oz., while silver rose $.36 to $12.81/oz. Precious metals continue to outrun almost every other asset so far in the 21st century Year-over-year gold is up 45%, silver is up 90%! ... 6 days to Vegas Gold Conference ...

8-30-06 -- Metals shine as Iran showdown looms -LISTEN
Precious metals rose sharply on Wednesday after revised GDP data was released. A weaker US dollar and a looming UN showdown with Iran also boosted metals. Gold closed up $6.60 to $617.20/oz., while silver rose $.35 to $12.46/oz. Year-over-year gold is now up 42%, while silver is up an amazing 84%! "You'd have to be very brave to be bearish on gold", says MoneyWeb.com. 7 days to Vegas Gold Conference

8-29-06 -- Metals mixed on oil, confidence -LISTEN
Precious metals traded mixed on lower oil and consumer confidence Tuesday. The confidence index fell from 107 to 99 in July, the lowest in a year. Gold closed off $4.30 to $610.60/oz., while silver rose $.13 to $12.11/oz. "Instead of gliding to a smooth landing, the US economy now looks set for a bumpy ride", says a Lehman Bros economist. 8 days to Vegas Gold Conference

8-28-06 -- Metals follow oil's retreat -LISTEN
Precious metal prices followed oil lower on Monday in thin pre-holiday trading ahead of economic reports this week on consumer confidence, GDP, jobs and consumer spending. Gold closed off $6.90 to $614.90/oz., silver fell $.35 to $11.98/oz. High oil prices, a volatile dollar and a UN showdown with Iran this week are seen supporting metals. 9 days to Vegas Gold Conference

8-25-06 -- Housing worries flatten markets -LISTEN
Precious metals inched up on Friday after economic reports this week confirmed that U.S. economic growth and housing is slowing. Traders hoped a speech by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke today would offer clues on interest rates, but none were given. Gold closed up $2.40 to $621.80/oz., -- up 1.6% for the week, while silver added $.05 to $12.33/oz. adding 3% for the week. Next week the UN showdown with Iran may boost metals.

8-24-06 -- Markets slip on housing fall -LISTEN
Precious metals drifted lower Thursday after economic reports added to signs that U.S. economic growth is slowing. July's orders for big-ticket items fell 2.4%, while sales of new homes dropped 4.3% in July. Gold closed off $3.80 to $619.40/oz., silver shed $.17 to $12.28/oz. "Gold will hit at least $2,172/oz. and $100 silver is inevitable", says veteran gold bug Howard Ruff in The Ruff Times.

8-23-06 -- Metals mixed on weak housing -LISTEN
Precious metals traded mixed on Wednesday after a housing report confirmed that U.S. economic growth is slowing, adding to the attraction of metals. Gold closed off $1.20 to $623.20/oz., but silver rose $.23 to $12.45/oz. The rapid house price inflation of recent years was clearly unsustainable. But will prices flatten or collapse?

8-22-06 -- Metals steady on Iran's UN-promise -LISTEN
Precious metal prices steadied Tuesday despite a stronger dollar and Iran's promise to "negotiate" with the U.N. to stop its nuclear program. Strong fundamentals and fears that a fragile Mid-East ceasefire may unravel are supporting precious metals. Gold closed in NY down $1.20 to $624.40/oz., silver fell $.05 to $12.22/oz. "The time when Iran will have a bomb is imminent", says Dr. Jerome Corsi, author of Atomic Iran.

8-21-06 -- Metals rise on energy-inflation concern -LISTEN
Precious metals bounced back sharply higher Monday on higher oil prices, dollar weakness and Iranian defiance over submitting to a U.N. deadline this week. Fears that a week-long ceasefire in the Mid-East might unravel also supported safe haven metals. Gold closed in NY up $13.70 to $625.60/oz., silver shot up $.30 to $12.27/oz. MSN reports, "...stark evidence the US housing bubble has burst...growing numbers of homeowners can't make their payments."

8-18-06 -- Gold consolidates, retains 18% growth ytd -LISTEN
Gold prices zig-zagged lower Friday following oil's lead. Despite news of "tame" inflation weakening the U.S. dollar, metals retreated as Mid-East tensions eased this week. Gold closed in NY down $3.40 to $611.90/oz., silver inched up $.02 to $11.97/oz. For the week gold shed 3.6 percent while silver ended virtually unchanged. Year-to-date gold is still up 18 percent and silver is up 36 percent.

8-17-06 -- Metals fall with oil, buy! -LISTEN
Precious metals closed sharply lower Thursday as oil fell near $70/bbl. Gold closed in NY down $13.20 to $615.30/oz., silver shed $.29 to $11.95/oz. "The boost in commodity prices due to Mid-East war are being rung out of the market for the short term, which provides a great buying opportunity for long-term investors", said Swiss America CEO Craig Smith. "Oil prices are not likely to fall below $60/bbl." Mr. Smith told CNBC today.

8-16-06 -- "Gold Shines On!" reports CNBC -LISTEN
Precious metals closed higher on Wednesday as the July CPI rose .4% easing Fed rate hike concerns and pushing the dollar lower. Gold closed in NY up $6.00 to $628.50/oz., silver closed up $.21 to $12.24/oz. "Gold Shines On!" reports CNBC this morning. "Now that the war premium has been squeezed out of gold prices it's back to the fundamentals which support higher prices", said Frank McGhere of Integrated Precious Metals.

8-15-06 -- Metals dull on inflation "data" -LISTEN
Precious metals ended lower on Tuesday as wholesale inflation "data" eased Fed rate hike concerns and oil prices drifted lower on a fragile truce in the Mid-East. Gold closed in NY down $6.00 to $622.50/oz., silver closed off $.04 to $12.03/oz. "By re-jiggering the manner in which CPI and GDP are calculated, the government misrepresents the true health of the economy", Peter Schiff told CNBC recently.

8-14-06 -- Metals mixed on Mid-East peace -LISTEN
Speculative sellers of precious metals gained the upper hand on Monday as a fragile cease fire in the Mid-East began today, easing oil prices and reducing investor demand for the precious metal as a safe haven. Gold prices closed in NY off its lows, down $4.60 to $628.70/oz., silver closed up $.20 to $12.07/oz. "Gold will hit at least $800 per ounce as paper money is going to hell in a handcart", says John Embry of Sprott Asset Mgmt.

8-11-06 -- Choppy metals, yet bull intact -LISTEN
Bargain hunting lifted precious metal prices early Friday, then prices drifted lower on strong retail sales that boosted the dollar and the prospect of further Fed rate increases. Friday gold closed in NY down $1.80 to $633.30/oz., silver fell 15 cents to $11.87/oz. For the week, gold prices slipped 1.7%, while silver shed 4.2% after rising for the past two weeks. Year-to-date, gold prices are up $116/oz. or 22%, while silver is up $3.07/oz. or 35%. Is the Fed a fraud? Find out!

8-10-06 -- Terror plot sends oil, metals lower -LISTEN
Gold prices fell over 2 percent on Thursday after news that the British police thwarted a plot to blow up aircraft sent oil prices plunging and the dollar higher. Gold closed in NY down $15.50 to $635.10/oz., silver fell 46 cents to $12.02/oz. Traders said profit-taking overcame safe-haven buyers, but long-term bullish sentiment remains high. Is the Fed a fraud? Find out!

8-9-06 -- Fed pauses, metals rise! -LISTEN
Gold prices rebounded Wednesday on firm oil prices, Mid-East turmoil and a lower dollar after the Federal Reserve took a pause in its interest rate-raising cycle. Gold closed in NY up $4.70 to $650.60/oz., silver added 30 cents to $12.48/oz. "The Fed has given the green light for a weaker dollar, higher inflation and gold prices", said Swiss America CEO, Craig R. Smith. Is the Fed a fraud? Find out!

8-8-06 -- Metals flat on Fed decision -LISTEN
Gold prices drifted sideways Tuesday on lower oil prices ahead of the Fed interest rate decision later today which may offer fresh impetus for the precious metal to repeat a recent rally. Gold closed in NY off $1.20 to $645.90/oz., silver slipped 2 cents to $12.18/oz. If the Fed raises rates, expect a sell-off in stocks. If they pause, expect a sell-off in the dollar and a rush to gold. Is the Fed a fraud? Find out!

8-7-06 -- Gold rallies on oil and turmoil -LISTEN
Gold prices rallied again Monday on a soft dollar, intensified Mid-East fighting and sharply higher oil prices which sparked safe-haven buying. Gold closed in NY up $2.80 to $647.10/oz. while silver slipped 17 cents to $12.20/oz. Is the Fed cornered? ... Is a Mid-East war upon us? ... Will stagflation send consumers over the edge? Is the Fed a fraud? Find out! ...

8-4-06 -- Metals: up week, mixed Friday -LISTEN
Gold prices surged in early trading Friday after the dollar tumbled on U.S. jobs data showing a slowdown in hiring during July, then drifted lower at the close. Spot gold closed down $.50 in NY to $644.70/oz., silver ended up 36 cents to $12.37/oz. For the week, gold added 1.5%, silver jumped up 9.6%. Will the Fed bump rates next week? Is the Fed a fraud? Find out! ...

8-3-06 -- Gold drifts lower on profit-taking -LISTEN
Gold drifted lower on Thursday as the U.S. dollar gained against the euro, oil eased and selling pressure mounted at higher levels despite the growing conflict in the Mid-East, dealers said. Gold closed down $6.60 in NY to $645.20/oz., silver closed off 16 cents to $12.01/oz. Sentiment remained positive and safe-haven gold was seen rebounding to trade above $650 after some profit-taking.

8-2-06 -- Gold reclaims $650, silver tops $12 -LISTEN
Precious metal prices jumped higher Wednesday on gains in the oil market due to hurricane fears and Iran's rejection of a U.N. resolution. Dollar volatility and the growing Mid-East conflict also supported safe-haven gold buying by investors. Gold closed up $5.00 in NY to $651.80/oz., silver closed up 51 cents to $12.17/oz. Year-to-date gold is up 25%, silver is up 38%.

8-1-06 -- Dollar down, gold +2%, savings -1.5% -LISTEN
Gold prices jumped 2 percent higher Tuesday as rising oil prices, a dollar sell-off and the growing conflict in the Middle East prompted safe-haven buying by investors. Gold closed up $13.00 in NY to $646.80/oz., silver closed up 38 cents to $11.66/oz. The personal savings rate rose to negative 1.5%, the 15th consecutive month of negative savings.