The Markets:

Charts Courtesy of http://finance.yahoo.com/

Oil prices fell as OPEC kept production steady as expected, with the only surprise coming that their next meeting will not be until September 11^th in Vienna.

The U.S. dollar index remained near unchanged as higher than expected inflation data offset weak economic data and provided mixed signals as to what the fed will do with interest rates.

Treasuries fell slightly as stocks found slight gains.

A weaker yen seemed to help the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P end slightly higher despite high inflation data as weak economic data helped keep interest rates near unchanged ahead of next week’s fed meeting.

Among the big names making news in the market today were GE, Blackstone and PHH, Imperial and Altadis, Cadbury, ICE and CBOT, and Bear Sterns.

The Commentary:

“April Gold finished up 4.6 at 647.1, 4.2 off the high and 2.1 up from the low.

May Silver closed up 0.245 at 13.075. This was 0.125 up from the low and 0.115 off the high.

The gold market exhibited some moderate volatility throughout the session Thursday but seemed to mostly maintain a positive bias for most of the session. In fact, the gold market wasn't unduly undermined as a result of the hotter than expected US PPI reading and it also wasn't undermined by the fact that oil prices at times were weak. However, a generally favorable initial trade in the equity market provided the gold market with some short covering incentives and it is possible that sharp gains in the copper market either prompted some gold short covering or perhaps even prompted fresh outright buying of gold.

Not surprisingly the silver market was lifted in the wake of renewed buying interest in the gold market and was probably also lifted on the coattails of the sharp rise in copper prices.” - The Hightower Report, Futures Analysis and Forecasting

GATA Posts:

Two more lunches for GATA sympathizers in Oz and environs

Foreign love for U.S. assets at risk in subprime drop

Goldman pays $2 million to settle 'naked' short-selling case

The Statistics:

As of close of business: 3/14/2007

Global Gold ETF Holdings

[WGC Sponsored ETF’s]

 Note: Change in Total Tonnes from yesterday’s data: The NYSE subtracted 6.17 tonnes.

COMEX Gold Trust (IAU)

 Note: No change in Total Tonnes from yesterday’s data.

Silver Trust (SLV)

 Note: No change in Total Tonnes from yesterday’s data.

The Stocks:

A new, free, stock report on Western Copper by Peter Zihlmann posted here, IAMGOLD’s (IAG) earnings, Miramar’s (MNG) exploration plans, Golden Star’s (GSS) exploration results, Exeter’s (XRA) drill results, Fronteer’s (FRG) closed public offering, Freeport’s (FCX) debt financing, Bear Creek’s (BCM.V) option agreement with Rio Tinto, Sterling Mining’s (SRLM.OB) production schedule, Aquiline’s (AQI.TO) feasibility study, Yale (YLL.V) and Impact’s (IPT.V) drilling, UC’s (UC.V) production, and Fury’s (FUR.V) drill results were among the big stories in the gold and silver mining industry making headlines today.

WINNERS

LOSERS

Winners & Losers tracks NYSE and AMEX listed gold and silver mining stocks that trade over $1.

All of today's gold and silver stock news:

Augyva Announces the Nomination of Mr. Kerry D. Smith as a Member of the Board of Directors in Replacement of Mr. Belisle, and Grants Options - More
- March 15, 2007 | Item | E-mail

BacTech Closes Non-Brokered Private Placement for $400,000 - More
- March 15, 2007 | Item | E-mail

Miramar Announces Commencement of 2007 Exploration Campaign at Hope Bay - "This year's program at Hope Bay is designed to improve and expand resources at Madrid and Boston for inclusion in a feasibility study for Phase II, as well as complete an aggressive exploration program along the Madrid trend. There are currently three drill rigs coring at Hope Bay with an expansion to 8-9 drills by early April. Details of the proposed program are being completed and the final program is subject to Miramar board approval." More
- March 15, 2007 | Item | E-mail

Aurus Proceeds With Dividend - More
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