Cross Currency Table – (Bloomberg)

Gold climbed $11.60 or 0.69% in New York yesterday and closed at $1,684.70/oz. Silver surged to a high of $31.48 and finished with a gain of 1.98%.

Gold edged up today and hit its highest range in two weeks in the prior trading session on the heels of the deal forged that avoided the U.S. fiscal cliff disaster.

The far more substantial risk from the pending budget negotiations remains as does the appalling US national debt and unfunded liability situation – both of which offer long term support to gold and silver.

The market lustily greeted the deal that U.S. Congress passed to raise taxes on the wealthy and spare the middle and lower income earners.

However, the very necessary cutting of budgets in various sectors, military and domestic, will no doubt fuel many more political battles as the nation’s finances continue to deteriorate.

In India, the central bank has required restrictions be placed on gold imports by banks and agencies, while the finance minister said he was evaluating further tax increases on gold imports to help rein in a current account gap that touched an all-time high in the Q3 2012.

U.S. weekly jobless claims for 12/20 are released at 1330 and expected at 365,000 and at 1900 GMT the FOMC Minutes from the fed’s December 12th meeting are released.

Dow/XAU Index – (Bloomberg)

We continue to favour the Dow Gold Ratio chart as a good indicator as to when the gold bull market might end. It is likely to reach the levels seen in 1980, close to  1:1 or the Dow at 5,000 or 10,000 and gold at between $5,000/oz and $10,000/oz.

This will be an indication that the gold bull market will be in its final innings. Provided of course we do not return to some form of gold standard whereby gold bull markets and bear markets will again become confined to history.

Gold Silver Ratio Index– (Bloomberg)

We continue to be more bullish on silver in the long term and believe the gold silver ratio should fall back to the geological 15:1 level as was last seen in 1980. This means that silver continues to be more attractive from a return point of view.

NEWS
Gold holds gains after U.S. budget deal - Reuters

Gold Near Two-Week High as Stimulus Seen Sustained; Silver Gains - Bloomberg

India Considers Higher Gold Taxes - Bloomberg

Chinese magnate gives 100 million pound golden dowry for daughter's wedding - Yahoo

COMMENTARY
"Only way individuals can protect themselves ... purchases of precious metals” – King World News

6 Shocking Gold Charts Depicting Stunning Western Decline – King World News

Gold Price Forecast 2013, Buying Opportunity?, is Silver Cheaper? – The Market Oracle

A Swiss Region Where the Gold Comes in Solid and Liquid Forms – The New York Times

Don't Show Bernanke This Chart Of Gold Loans In India – Zero Hedge

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-- Posted Thursday, 3 January 2013 | Digg This Article