Gold Prices Soar
NEW YORK (
) --
were firming Tuesday on improved risk appetite and a weaker U.S. dollar.
Gold for April delivery was rising $15.40 to $1,133.70 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices were trading as high as $1,136.50 and a low as $1,115. The
was slipping by 0.04% to $80.63.
Gold was trading firmly over $1,100 an ounce as bargain hunters supported prices. Risk appetite grew as a Greek bailout started to take shape, a slew of M&A activity buoyed markets and relatively positive economic data increased investor demand for riskier commodities.
Gold Prices Firm
Analysts expect gold to trade in a tight range as investors look to a Greek cabinet meeting Wednesday, when officials will discuss harsher financial measures. Greece has already implemented tax hikes and spending cuts, but the EU is pressuring the country to institute even more before pledging a massive amount of financial aid. The health of the euro as well as investors' risk tolerance hinges in part on what happens in Greece. Traders will also stay relatively cautious headed into Friday's U.S. nonfarm payroll report as rising unemployment will hinder hopes of a sustained economic recovery.
"Overall
gold appear
s comfortable in recent ranges ($1,080-$1,130)," says James Moore, analyst at thebulliondesk.com, in his daily metals report. "Traders and investors
will look for clarity on the broader macroeconomic picture and in particular what, if any deal or rescue package for Greece is agreed by the EU."
were popping 41 cents to $16.88 while
was up 5 cents at $3.40. The base metal rose more than 2% Monday as the earthquake in Chile, the world's largest copper producer, prompted fears of a supply crunch. Most mines have resumed production.
Mining stocks, a more leveraged way to
, were stronger.
Barrick Gold
(ABX)
was rising 3.17% to $39.66 while
Newmont Mining
(NEM) - Get Report
was higher at $57.78. Other large-cap miners
Kinross Gold
(KGC) - Get Report
and
Goldcorp
(GG)
were trading over 2% higher at $19.07 and $39.33, respectively.
Shares of
Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold
(FCX) - Get Report
were rising 1.52% to $77.61 while
Southern Copper
(SCCO) - Get Report
was slipping 0.37% to $29.97.
SPDR Gold Shares
(GLD) - Get Report
was rising 1.53% to $110.98.
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--
Written by Alix Steel in New York
.
Alix joined TheStreet.com TV in February 2007. Previously, she held positions in film and theater production, management, and legal administration. Alix has a degree in communications and theater from Northwestern University.