Just as the stock market has been stuck in the mid-8,000 range over the past few weeks, the gold spot rate has been hanging around the $930 per ounce price point for a while. Despite a couple modest swings, gold has traded in a very narrow range between $920 and $940 since it dropped significantly from around $955 on June 11th to below $930 on June 15th. (more…)

More and more sectors are lending evidence to support the call by Fed Chief Ben Bernanke and others of an economic recovery for the last half or 2009. On Thursday (June 25), it was the retail sector’s chance to shine. Despite a surprisingly lower jobless claims report, positive earnings reports and optimism from retailers helped drive stocks higher by two per cent, ending a four-day slide in equities. (more…)

Oil peaked above $73 per barrel last week, but prices have dropped steadily, with a strong fall below $67 Tuesday (June 23). Expiring crude for July delivery expired on Monday, with speculators pushing rates down $2.62, to settle at $66.93. US crude for August delivery also quickly dipped to the $67 per barrel level. (more…)