Gold Futures End Lackluster Trading with Slightly Lower Close
Gold futures ended the trading session with a slightly lower close on Monday, May 11, 2009, due to pressure from a mildly higher US dollar and stable equities. Despite finding some support from declines in equities and other commodities, the metal failed to break out of its range-bound trading. The June gold contract fell $1.40 to settle at $913.50 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Key Takeaways:
- Gold futures ended the trading session with a slightly lower close, settling at $913.50 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
- The metal found support from declines in equities and other commodities, but was unable to break out of its range-bound trading.
- Sterling Smith, vice president with FuturesOne, characterized gold's trading as "lackluster," noting the day's high and low were within the previous session's trading range.
- A stable US dollar and lower oil prices also pressured the metal, according to Kitco Bullion Dealers analyst Jon Nadler.
- Silver futures also settled lower, with Comex July silver losing 4.5 cents to settle at $13.910 an ounce.
- Platinum and palladium futures were pressured by slackening demand and producer uncertainty, with Nymex July platinum falling $26.40 to settle at $1,120.70 an ounce.
- Lonmin PLC, the world's third-biggest platinum miner, announced a loss during the first half of its fiscal year and a rights issue to raise $457 million due to uncertain demand for its metals.
Statistics:
- June gold fell $1.40 to settle at $913.50 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
- Comex July silver lost 4.5 cents to settle at $13.910 an ounce.
- Nymex July platinum fell $26.40 to settle at $1,120.70 an ounce.
- June palladium on the exchange lost $5.30 to settle at $237 an ounce.
- Lonmin PLC announced a loss of $457 million due to uncertain demand for its metals.
Sources:
- Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex
- OptionSellers.com
- Scotia Mocatta
- Kitco Bullion Dealers
- Lonmin PLC (LMI.LN)
- Dow Jones Newswires
- Matt Whittaker, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5959; matt.whittaker@dowjones.com