7-31-06 -- Metals flat, stagflation fears up -LISTEN
Precious metals zig-zagged Monday in choppy trading as slowing U.S. growth coupled with higher inflation was offset by the prospect of a cease-fire in the Mid-East this week. Gold closed down $1.50 in NY to $633.80/oz., silver closed unchanged at $11.28/oz. Fears of stagflation (that's mediocre growth with rising prices) are increasing says Forbes.

7-28-06 -- Metals stabilize, up for the week -LISTEN
Gold prices inched higher Friday after reports of slowing 2Q GDP growth triggered a fall in the dollar. Metal prices were also supported by ongoing Mid-East tension and a call to holy war issued by al-Qaida Thursday. Gold closed up $1.90 in NY to $635.30/oz. -- up 2.5% for the week, silver slipped 4 cents to $11.28/oz. -- but up 4% for the week.

7-27-06 -- Gold glitters as dollar declines -LISTEN
Gold prices jumped over two percent to one-week highs on Thursday, supported by weakness in the dollar, firm oil and the Middle East tension. Gold closed up $11.60 in NY to $633.40/oz., silver added 32 cents to $11.32/oz. "The demand for gold is as strong as it ever has been," AngloGold Ashanti CEO Bobby Godsell said Thursday. It's a "Glittering outlook for gold".

7-26-06 -- Metals cautiously rise, stocks at risk -LISTEN
Precious metals cautiously moved higher Wednesday on continued bargain-hunting, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and higher oil prices. Gold closed in N.Y. up $4.60 to $621.80/oz. Silver gained 13 cents to $11.00/oz. "An increasing number of analysts believe the four-year bull market in U.S. stocks is on its last legs", says the WSJ.

7-25-06 -- Markets anxious, metals rise -LISTEN
Precious metals see-sawed higher Tuesday in choppy trading on bargain-hunting, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and firm oil prices. Gold closed in N.Y. up $4.30 to $617.20/oz. Silver gained 4 cents closing at $10.87/oz. Reports of improved U.S. consumer confidence and slowing home sales did little to bolster the mood of investors anxious over earnings and Mideast violence.

7-24-06 -- Gold retreats on Mid-East hopes -LISTEN
Gold prices fell Monday on continued profit-taking, diplomatic hopes in the Mid-East, a stronger dollar and lower oil prices. Gold closed in N.Y. down $6.80 to $612.90/oz. Silver gained 6 cents closing at $10.83/oz. Analysts attribute the sell-off in gold to; a reduction of the "war premium" based on hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the Mid-East war and expiration of futures contracts this week.

7-21-06 -- Metals volatile, coins stable -LISTEN
Precious metals fell sharply Friday on profit-taking ahead of the weekend, despite news that Israel is planning a ground invasion of Lebanonon, a weaker dollar and higher oil prices. Gold closed in N.Y. down $11.70 to $619.70/oz. Silver lost 20 cents closing at $10.77/oz. Despite growing volatility in the bullion markets, high quality gold and silver coins remain stable, Swiss America brokers report.

7-20-06 -- Fed rally overdone, dollar at risk -LISTEN
Precious metals closed lower Thursday on profit-taking and lower oil prices following Wednesday's rally on Ben Bernanke's dovish testimony to Congress. Gold closed in N.Y. down $10.40 to $631.40/oz. Silver lost 7 cents closing at $10.97/oz. "For Mr. Bernanke to leave out any mention of the struggling U.S. dollar should serve as a wake up call to every person who earns, saves and holds dollars", said Craig R. Smith.

7-19-06 -- Markets rally on Fedspeak -LISTEN
Precious metal prices rebounded sharply Wednesday on a weaker dollar following comments by Ben Bernanke to Congress that the U.S. economy was likely to slow, which should ease inflationary pressures. This left the door open for a pause in raising interest rates. Gold closed in N.Y. up $13.60 to $641.20/oz. Silver added 63 cents closing at $11.04/oz. Geopolitical tensions and Hezbollah war threats support gold's safe haven status.

7-18-06 -- Metals dip as funds selloff (Buy!) -LISTEN
Precious metal prices fell sharply Tuesday as the dollar rose and speculators continued taking profits, despite the June PPI report showing a .5% increase in wholesale inflation. Gold closed in N.Y. down $22.70 to $627.60/oz. Silver shed 59 cents closing at $10.41/oz. Firm oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions are supporting the metals long-term. "Buy the dips" is our recommendation.

7-17-06 -- Gold dips, but real assets to thrive -LISTEN
Gold prices dipped lower on Monday after hitting a two-month high on Mid-East tension last week, as many investors locked in profits amid lower oil prices and a stronger dollar. Gold closed down $16 to $650/oz. Silver shed 47 cents closing at $11.00/oz. "Investors can thrive by owning real assets, like gold", author Stephen Leeb told CNBC today.

7-14-06 -- Gold rises 5% on Mid-East angst -LISTEN
Gold prices closed to a seven-week high on Friday, driven by record oil prices and tensions across the Middle East. Gold closed in NY up $13.80 to $666.30/oz. For the week gold rose 5.4%. Silver closed up 3 cents to $11.47/oz. and up a dime for the week. "If the Mid-East war escalates, expect $90-$100 oil and $850 gold", says BLACK GOLD STRANGLEHOLD author, Craig R. Smith.

7-13-06 -- Gold: the world's crisis hedge -LISTEN
Gold extended recent gains Thursday on geopolitical concern over news of Israeli strikes against Lebanon, twin explosions in Nigeria, Iran's nuclear standoff, and yesterday's terrorist attacks in India. Gold closed in NY up $3.00 to $652.50/oz. Silver closed down 7 cents to $11.44/oz. "World woes drive gold prices back up", says one headline ... "Experts agree gold is a 'crisis hedge'", says Swiss America CEO, Craig Smith.

7-12-06 -- Gold rushes back to $650 -LISTEN
Gold extended gains Wednesday on news of a widening U.S. trade gap, higher oil prices, Iran's nuclear research dispute, terrorist attacks in India and Hezbollah/Isreali tensions. Gold closed in NY up $8.50 to $649.50/oz. Silver closed up 2 cents to $11.51/oz. "Big money is coming back into gold," says Dow Theory Letters editor, Richard Russell.

7-11-06 -- Metals safe-haven breakout-rally -LISTEN
Precious metals bounced back sharply Tuesday on bargain-hunting, a weaker dollar, higher oil prices and news of a train bombing in Bombay. Gold closed in NY up $17.50 (2.7%) to $640.90/oz. Silver closed jumped up 47 cents (4.2%) to $11.49/oz. "A MAJOR breakout in gold was triggered today which may signal the beginning of gold's next major leg up to $1,000/oz." says Jim Carrillo of Swiss America.

7-10-06 -- Why buy metal dips? Fed may be done! -LISTEN
Precious metal prices traded lower Monday on profit-taking, easing geopolitical concern and lower oil prices. Gold closed in NY down $8.70 to $623.90/oz. Silver closed off 36 cents to $11.02/oz. Bill Fleckenstein writes today at MSN "The Fed is done raising rates." If he's is right, we can expect a weaker dollar and higher metal prices after the Fed meets in August...

7-7-06 -- Gold +3% this week, inches toward $650 -LISTEN
Precious metals edged lower on profit-taking Friday after weak payroll data triggered concern about slowing growth. Gold closed in NY down $1.60 to $632.60/oz. Silver closed off 19 cents to $11.38/oz. Both metals closed up 3 percent this week and are now up over 20% ytd. "You needed to know two words to make money this year: China and gold" says USA Today ...

7-6-06 -- Metals outperform paper again in '06 -LISTEN
Precious metals moved higher Thursday on technical buying, as oil prices eased and the dollar remained volatile amid speculation the US labor market report due Friday will come in strong. Gold closed in NY up $6.70 to $634.20/oz. Silver closed up 20 cents to $11.57/oz. "Tangible commodities again outperformed stocks and bonds in the first half of 2006"... See 2006 YTD Investment Scorecard

7-5-06 -- Metals rise as test rockets fall -LISTEN
Precious metal prices rose Wednesday on safe haven buying sparked by news North Korea test fired at least seven missiles over the Sea of Japan today, then later eased as a firmer dollar triggered profit-taking. Gold closed in NY up $3.80 to $627.50/oz. Silver closed up 9 cents to $11.37/oz. "The battle between gold and paper money is on and there is only one likely winner."