Beiträge von GoldenCentury

17 Dez 2004 14:27

17.12.2004 13:09:56 Europe gold firm, seen steady as investors return

LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Gold firmed quietly in Europe on Friday morning, with the market expected to stay in fairly tight ranges tied to currency moves as liquidity thins ahead of year end.

Spot gold stood at $438.25/439.25 per troy ounce by 1139 GMT, compared with $436.20/366.95 late in New York on Thursday.

"It looks like we should trade mainly sideways with a positive bias, investors seem to be coming back into the market slowly," one dealer said.

The dollar lost ground after a stronger-than-expected German business sentiment survey boosted the euro, but thin pre-holiday trade made moves erratic.The euro was last at $1.3288.

The U.S. currency had a volatile session on Thursday, coming within half a cent of last week's record low against the euro before rebounding on the back of a narrower-than-expected U.S. current account deficit.

Despite the slightly stronger data, most analysts believe worries about the United States' ability to finance its twin deficits are likely to keep the dollar under selling pressure -- boosting the allure of safe-haven gold.

Frederic Panizzutti, analyst at Swiss-based MKS Finance, said in a emailed note he did not expect any wide moves in gold ahead of year-end.

"As we move toward the year end...a 2004 close around 435.00 - 448.00 USD/ounce seems likely," he said.

"Nevertheless gold has been a great performer this year and the bull trend is now very well established."

Gold's three-year bull run picked up pace this year thanks mainly to the weak dollar, although heightened geopolitical tension and greater fund exposure to commodities has also played an important role.

The market on December 2 hit its highest since June 1988 at $456.75 before stepping back on fund profit-taking.

In other metals, palladium was steadier -- just off a fresh 16-month low of $174.00 as chronic oversupply led funds to liquidate positions.

Spot palladium was at $177.00/181.00 compared with $175.50/181.50 late in New York on Thursday.

"The outlook remains bleak for the industrial metal with continued pressure from funds/specs and seasonally slow industrial off-take still pointing to a test to $150-160 in the coming sessions," James Moore of TheBullionDesk.com said in daily report.

Platinum was steady at $838.00/842.00 from $838.50/843.50, while silver eased marginally to $6.67/6.70 from $6.68/6.72.

17 Dez 2004 10:00

17.12.2004 08:57:14 Tokyo gold down in line with spot, palladium sinks

TOKYO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Tokyo gold futures dropped on Friday, sliding in line with falls in the dollar-based spot price that has been undermined by the dollar's slight recovery.

Many traders concentrated on lightening positions in gold ahead of the weekend as the spot price struggled to post strong gains throughout the week.

Palladium plunged on fund-led selling, reflecting sharp falls in New York the previous day on weak technical and fundamental trends, traders said.

"After seeing steep falls on fund-selling in New York, yen-based players dumped palladium, although basically investors don't have many positions in the metal," said Tatsuo Kageyama, an analyst at Kanetsu Asset Management.

The benchmark October palladium futures contract closed down 23 yen per gram at 603 yen.

It fell as low as 594 yen -- the lowest since May 2003.

Other contracts closed down 21 to 27 yen.

The spot dollar-based palladium, a metal used principally by auto makers in catalytic converters, plunged 4.5 percent in New York on Thursday amid softer industrial demand.

Traders said falling auto production in the United States in the fourth quarter also added bearish mood to fundamentals.

Benchmark TOCOM palladium futures had moved in a tight range of about 700-800 yen between mid-June and around start of December as the market lacked market moving factors.

In April, they peaked at 1,183 yen after Belgian metals group Umicore SA (/ACUMt.BR) said it had come up with a new technology that will allow for the use of more palladium in diesel emission control systems.

But the market had very few incentives to drive prices.

"On charts palladium looks extremely bad. Technical sales have increased, especially after the spot price fell firmly below $200," said Tadashi Hashimoto, general manager at Nissho Iwai Futures.

"The best thing to do now is not to touch palladium."

At 0732 GMT, spot palladium stood at $176/$181 per ounce compared with Thursday's late New York level of $175.50/$181.50.

Both platinum and gold came under pressure, although the market was more bullish about the outlook for the yellow metal.

"The market is in a position adjustment mode for gold, but looking at the trend of the spot price, yen-based gold should be supported," Nissho's Hashimoto said.

"Although we've seen yen-based gold put under some pressure this week, underlying sentiment is strong on the view that the dollar-based gold will stay strong," he said.

The key October TOCOM gold closed down 9 yen per gram at 1,479 yen. It had moved in a range of 1,476 to 1,481.

Other contracts closed down 4 to 10 yen.

Spot bullion was quoted at $437.75/8.50 an ounce against $436.20/$436.95 in New York.

Below are closing prices for TOCOM's most active precious metals contracts, with the day's turnover for each metal.

Closing prices are in yen per gram except for silver, which is in yen per 10 grams:

For open interest details please click

Closing price Turnover (lots)
GOLD 1,479 (down 9) 42,896
SILVER 226.4 (down 5.0) 3,970
PLATINUM 2,734 (down 16) 41,585
PALLADIUM 603 (down 23) 2,588

17 Dez 2004 09:49

17.12.2004 08:12:00 Europe gold starts slightly up, palladium weak

* Spot gold begins European trading on a firmer note, rising to $438.75/439.50 a troy ounce by 0704 GMT, up from New York's late quote on Thursday of $436.20/436.95 an ounce. * Remains bound within $435-440 an ounce range, after better-than-expected current account data in the U.S. on Thursday bolstered the dollar. * Silver inches up to $6.71/73 from $6.68/6.72. * Platinum slips to $835.00/834.00 an ounce from New York's previous $838.50/843.50. * Palladium languishes just off a fresh 16-month low of $174.00 an ounce, trading at $176.00/181.00 versus New York's $175.50/181.50.

16 Dez 2004 21:02

16.12.2004 20:34:35 NY gold ends below $440, palladium hits 16-mo. low

NEW YORK, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Gold futures ended lower on Thursday, as the beleaguered dollar rallied on data showing the third-quarter U.S. current account deficit was narrower that many had feared.

Palladium, used principally by auto makers in catalytic converters, plunged 4.5 percent amid softer industrial demand.

"The trade's been a seller in palladium throughout the last week," said a New York floor trader. "The recent speculative and commercial-house buying has simply vanished today."

At the New York Mercantile Exchange, March palladium fell $8.55 to settle at $179.05 an ounce, after inching up from a contract low of $177.50, which was palladium's lowest level on continuation charts since August 2003.

Spot palladium concluded at $175.50/181.50.

Traders said steady commercial selling could take that thinly traded market down to $165-$160 an ounce in the near-term.

Dealers pegged key medium-term support in palladium at $150 an ounce, with resistance seen up around $190.

Gold tumbled in light trading but stayed within its broad $435-$445 range, as the dollar climbed across the board.

February gold futures at the NYMEX's COMEX division lost $4.00 to end at $438.20 an ounce, after moving between $444.40 and $437.

The yellow metal has a role in financial markets as an alternative investment to the greenback.

"This is just dollar-related. It's thin conditions in gold," said a bullion trader at a bank.

Midafternoon in New York, the euro dropped to $1.3215 , sharply lower from $1.3413 late on Wednesday.

Gold would be vulnerable to more long liquidation if the dollar kept rising or if the funds decided to take further profits after the rally to a 16-year high at $458.70 last month.

The U.S. government said the shortfall in the current account widened to a record $164.71 billion, reflecting the U.S. consumer's seemingly insatiable appetite for imported goods.

Meanwhile, the German Bundesbank, the world's second-largest holder of gold reserves, is expected to announce in coming days whether it will go ahead with selling bullion over the next five years.

Spot gold hit $436.20/6.95, versus the last New York close at $440.35/1.10. The late London fix was $439.50.

Holdings of gold in the U.S.-listed exchange-traded fund streetTRACKS , which is backed by bullion, held at 91.13 tonnes for the sixth day in a row, as of Wednesday.

March silver went down 15.3 cents to $6.727 an ounce, trading $6.97 to $6.70. Spot slid to $6.68/72 versus $6.82/86 previously. The fix was at $6.7850.

NYMEX January platinum fell $3.00 to $839.10 an ounce. Spot platinum was worth $838.50/843.50.

16 Dez 2004 17:25

16.12.2004 17:23:58 Gold gibt nach Anstieg auf über 442 Dollar wieder nach

London, 16. Dez (Reuters) - Gold hat am Donnerstag nach weiterem Druck auf den Dollar in Europa zunächst etwas zugelegt, zum Handelschluss dann aber eine Spur unter dem Vortag gelegen. Auch Verkäufe im frühen Marktgeschehen haben den Aufwärtstrend nicht stoppen können. Ein nach besser als erwartet ausgefallenen US-Konjunkturdaten am Nachmittag ausgelöster Dollar-Anstieg versetzte Gold dann jedoch einen leichten Dämpfer.

Die Volumen seien, wie meist vor Jahresende, gering geblieben, so Händler. Fonds hielten nichtsdestotrotz am so genannten Program-Dealing, dem durch Erreichen oder Unterschreiten bestimmter Chartmarken ausgelösten Handel, fest.

Zum Handelsschluss in Europa lag die Feinunze Gold bei 439,05/439,80 Dollar und damit leicht unter dem Vortagesniveau von 439,55/440,30 Dollar. Zuvor war Gold bis auf 442,50 Dollar gestiegen.

Das zweite Fixing in London erfolgte bei 439,50 Dollar. Am Vormittag war Gold bei 441,25 gefixt worden und am Mittwochnachmittag bei 439,00 Dollar.

Eine Schweizer Grossbank gab den Gold-Kilopreis mit 16.180/16.430 (Vortag 16.035/16.285) sfr an.

ish/pma

16 Dez 2004 17:09

16.12.2004 16:56:53 UPDATE 1-Gold stalls in Europe as U.S. data boost dollar

(Updates to afternoon)

LONDON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Gold lost ground in Europe on Thursday after data showed a narrower than expected U.S. current account deficit, easing concern about the economy and boosting the dollar.

Spot gold eased to $439.05/439.80 per troy ounce by 1540 GMT, from $440.35/441.10 quoted late in New York on Wednesday.

The dollar rebounded sharply after the current account deficit was put at $164.71 billion for the third quarter -- a record, but narrower than the market's forecast of a $170 billion shortfall.

Investors had earlier sent the dollar to within half a cent of this month's record low against the euro on weaker than expected trade gap data from Wednesday, making dollar-priced gold more attractive for non-U.S. investors.

William Adams of TheBullionDesk.com said in a note on the data that the market seemed content for now to live with divergent signals.

"On the one hand the US economy seems to be strengthening and this is reflected in strong industrial commodity prices and a strong equity market," he said.

"However on the other hand, there are the well publicized issues that are threatening to derail US growth, notably the weaker dollar and the US deficits. These mixed signals do not seem to be worrying the broader market yet."

Dealers said that gold was looking well positioned to run higher in the longer term, as the price fall was fairly well contained despite the dollar recovery.

"I'm feeling a bit more friendly towards the (gold) market, but there is still a risk of it shifting lower," a dealer said, citing thinner liquidity ahead of year-end.

A fund source said that thinner volumes would not change the overall approach of so-called program dealing -- triggered by the market reaching certain key chart levels.

"We are aware of the (thin) Christmas liquidity, but as systematic traders (we) are not going to change our approach. So we'll buy and sell when we get the usual signals," the fund source said.

Spot silver eased back slightly to $6.78/6.81 from $6.82/6.86.

Platinum climbed to $843.00/847.00 from late New York's $837.50/842.50, while palladium gave way to selling pressure, sliding beneath support at $180 to $178.00/183.00 from $183.50/186.50.

Dealers suggested a test of $160, ahead of $160 in the coming sessions as the market seemed to be influenced more currently by a chronic supply surplus, with consumer buying seen coming in to arrest further slides.

16 Dez 2004 17:08

16.12.2004 17:00:26 Commodities News Summary

TOP NEWS
> Gold stalls in Europe as U.S. data boost dollar [nL16274120]

LONDON - Gold lost ground in Europe on Thursday after data showed a narrower than expected U.S. current account deficit, easing concern about the economy and boosting the dollar.

Spot gold eased to $439.05/439.80 per troy ounce by 1540 GMT, from $440.35/441.10 quoted late in New York on Wednesday.

- - - -

> Buba to announce gold sale decision in next days [nL16583701]

FRANKFURT - The Bundesbank, the world's second largest holder of gold reserves, is expected to announce in coming days whether it will go ahead with selling bullion over the next five years.

The German government is keenly interested in the Bundesbank's decision, as it hopes that proceeds from gold sales might help plug a persistent budget shortfall that has kept Germany above European Union deficit limits since 2002.

- - - -

> Brazil soy crop seen at record 63.24 mln T -IBGE [nN16154412]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Brazil's 2004/05 (Oct/Sept) soybean crop was revised up to a record 63.24 million tonnes, from 63.1 million forecast in November, the government's IBGE statistics office said on Thursday.

In its second forecast for the new crop, the IBGE said that output would be 29 percent higher than last season.

- - - -

METALS > Consolidation in steel only just starting -Arcelor [nL16657127]

PARIS - Consolidation in the steel sector is only just beginning, with link-ups between steel makers a real possibility, Arcelor (/CELR.PA) Chairman Guy Dolle said on Thursday, in an interview with LCI television.

"Consolidation in the steel market is not over, it is only just beginning," he said.

- - - -

> Glamis to launch take-over bid for Goldcorp [nN16652962]

TORONTO - U.S.-based Glamis Gold Ltd. said on Thursday it plans to make a take-over bid for Canadian miner Goldcorp Inc.

The news sent shares of Goldcorp up C$2.16, or 12.6 percent, to C$19.26 and Glamis down C$1.50, or 6 percent, to C$22 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

- - - -

SOFT COMMODITIES > India buyer sees 1.5-2.0 mln t sugar imports [nL16645089]

LONDON - India's sugar import requirement in 2004/05 is expected to be around 1.5 to 2.0 million tonnes, S.L. Jain, member secretary of the Indian Sugar Exim Corporation (ISEC), said on Thursday.

Jain, a leading buyer, estimated imports in 2003/04 at around 800,000 tonnes, in a telephone interview from India.

- - - -

GRAINS/OILSEEDS/LIVESTOCK > EU wheat sowings up, other grains down -analyst [nL15070821]

PARIS - French analyst Strategie Grains said on Thursday it expected the area sown with soft wheat in the EU-25 for the 2005 harvest to increase slightly but other grain sowings to fall from this year's levels.

In its first estimate of sowings for the 2005/06 season, Strategie Grains said it expected the EU soft wheat area to rise one percent from 2004 to 19.6 million hectares.

- - - -

> EU farm chief seeks draft WTO deal by end-2005 [nL16565404]

GENEVA - Trade negotiators should aim for a draft deal on reforming world agriculture by the end of next year, but it will be tough going, EU farm chief Mariann Fischer Boel said on Thursday.

Making her first visit to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) since taking office, the European Commissioner said an accord in time for a WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kong in December 2005 would be a positive signal for the world economy.

- - - -

Es wird immer lustiger,nun will Glamis Gold Goldcorp kaufen die ja wiederum Wheaton kaufen wollen..............

Vielleicht übernimmt Newmont anschliessend die von Harmony geschluckten Goldfields, und im Finale übernimmt dann Barrick alles.....

Goldcorp vorbörsl.10% im Plus.

Press Release Source: Glamis Gold Ltd.

Glamis Gold Announces Take-Over Bid For Goldcorp
Thursday December 16, 8:15 am ET

RENO, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2004--All amounts in US$
Glamis Gold Ltd. (NYSE:GLG - News; TSX:GLG - News) today announced its intention to make a take-over bid (the "Take-over Bid") to acquire Goldcorp Inc. ("Goldcorp"). Glamis intends to offer Goldcorp shareholders 0.89 of a Glamis common share for each Goldcorp common share. The offer values Goldcorp at $17.80 per common share and represents a premium of 22.6% based on the volume-weighted average trading price for both companies for the previous 30 trading days on the New York Stock Exchange.

ADVERTISEMENT


Kevin McArthur, President and Chief Executive Officer of Glamis Gold said, "A business combination between Glamis and Goldcorp has been in the making for over a year. We are very pleased to present this premium offer directly to Goldcorp's shareholders. We have completed exhaustive due diligence on their assets on two separate occasions and see significant opportunities for improvement. Glamis' previous acquisitions have created dramatic value for its shareholders and we believe that we can deliver similar results through enhanced mining and exploration efforts at Red Lake. Red Lake is one of the world's great gold assets and the time has come for its future to be guided by a mining-focused team."

Mr. McArthur added, "Goldcorp shareholders should contact their Board of Directors to demand the opportunity to decide between receiving a premium under our offer or paying a premium to Wheaton River. We believe the Goldcorp shareholders will overwhelmingly express their preference for a Glamis-Goldcorp combination over the Goldcorp-Wheaton deal."

The Take-over Bid will be subject to customary conditions, including that a minimum of 66 2/3% of Goldcorp shares on a fully-diluted basis are tendered to the Take-over Bid. In addition, the bid will be subject to the following condition:

Goldcorp does not acquire or enter into any commitment to acquire shares or enter into any material agreement with Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. ("Wheaton River"); or
Alternatively, any Goldcorp offer or agreement with Wheaton River must be conditional on the Take-over Bid not being successful and must be capable of being terminated by Goldcorp without payment or penalty if the Take-over Bid is successful.
Approval by holders of a simple majority of Glamis common shares voted at a shareholders meeting will also be required to remove the restriction on the number of common shares that Glamis may issue. The Take-over Bid will not be subject to any further due diligence.

Glamis intends to mail the Take-over Bid Circular to Goldcorp shareholders in early January, with an expiry date 35 days thereafter. Glamis will hold its shareholders meeting on February 9, 2005, prior to the expiry of the Take-over Bid.

The combination of Glamis and Goldcorp will offer a clearly superior choice for gold investors:

Superior growth profile with an outstanding project pipeline and exploration portfolio - gold production to grow to over 1.4 million ounces by 2007 from fully-designed and permitted projects already under construction;
High-quality, low-cost asset base with long mine lives and excellent prospects for discovery and reserves expansion - total cash costs expected to average less than $120 per ounce over the next five years;
Pure gold, with no exposure to or reliance on base metal credits to reduce operating costs;
Low-risk operations entirely in the Americas - approximately 75% of reserves are located in NAFTA countries;
Financial strength - unhedged with approximately $500 million in cash and equivalents estimated at year-end;
Market liquidity - over $50 million average daily trading volume with approximately $6 billion in pro forma market capitalization; and
Experienced management, with a culture of mining excellence and a proven track record of integrating acquisitions (Marwest Resources Ltd., Rayrock Resources Inc. and Francisco Gold Corp.) and building fundamental value.
"We believe that we are offering a full and fair price to Goldcorp shareholders along with the opportunity for them to share in the exciting upside at our projects. The value for our shareholders will come from our ability to drive performance and create value at Red Lake - something which we are very confident we can do and which of course Goldcorp shareholders will share in as well," added Mr. McArthur.

Glamis' financial advisors are Orion Securities Inc. Its legal counsel are Lang Michener LLP and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Canada, and Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP in the United States.

Conference Call and Webcast.

Glamis will host a conference call and webcast presentation to discuss the Take-over Bid this morning at 10:00 am EST. You may join the call by dialing 1-866-216-9488 in the United States and Canada or internationally at 1-706-758-0297 and quoting Conference ID Number 2884430. A replay of the call will be available until January 15, 2005, by dialing 1-800-642-1687 in the United States and Canada, or internationally at 1-706-645-9291 and quoting Conference ID Number 2884430.

To connect to the simultaneous webcast presentation, participants should go to the Glamis Gold Ltd. website at http://www.glamis.com and click on the link on the main page.

Glamis Gold Ltd. is a premier intermediate gold producer with low-cost gold mines and development projects in Nevada, Mexico and Central America. The Company remains 100 percent unhedged. Glamis' current plan and budget reflects a near tripling of annual gold production to more than 700,000 ounces by 2007 at a total cash cost below $150 per ounce.

Safe Harbor Statement under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to those with respect to, the price of gold, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserves estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, Glamis' hedging practices, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results, "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Glamis to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the actual results of current exploration activities, actual results of current reclamation activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of gold, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Other Considerations" in the Glamis Annual Information Form. Although Glamis has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any of the securities of Glamis or Goldcorp. Such an offer may only be made pursuant to a registration statement and prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and offer to purchase and circular filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Glamis plans to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on SEC Form F-4, and expects to mail an Offer Circular and Prospectus to Goldcorp stockholders concerning the proposed business combination with Goldcorp. WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE OFFER CIRCULAR AND PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC AND CANADIAN SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the documents free of charge at the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov. In addition, documents filed with the SEC by Glamis will be available free of charge from Glamis Investor Relations, 5190 Neil Road, Suite 310, Reno, NV 89502, telephone (775) 827-4600.

Email requests for investor packets to: info@glamis.com

Email questions/correspondence to: michaels@glamis.com

Glamis Gold Ltd. (TSX:GLG - News; NYSE:GLG - News)

16 Dez 2004 13:36

16.12.2004 13:27:12 Silver fixes slightly down, gold flat

* Silver fixes marginally higher in London at 678.50 cents a troy ounce, versus 678.00 cents the previous session. Spot silver falls to $6.77/6.80 from $6.82/6.86 by 1212 GMT. Forward rates on Reuters page indicated at 2.115, 2.062, 2.008 and 1.825 for one, three, six and 12 months respectively. * Gold firmer, off earlier highs of $442.50 but trading at $442.00/442.75 at 1224 GMT, versus New York's late trade on Wednesday of $440.35/441.10. * Still closely tracking currency moves, with the dollar easing toward last week's record low vs. euro after capital inflows data in previous session adds to worries the U.S. may struggle to fund its current acount deficit. * Platinum rises to $843.00/847.00 versus New York's $837.50/842.50. * Palladium mostly unchanged at $183.00/187.00 from $183.50/186.50.

16 Dez 2004 13:23

16.12.2004 12:57:44 Gold creeps higher in Europe as dollar stuggles

LONDON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Gold was firmer in Europe on Thursday morning, buoyed by a pressured dollar as worries persisted over U.S. ability to cover its current-account gap.

Spot gold stood at $441.25/442.00 per troy ounce by 1137 GMT, up from $440.35/441.10 quoted late in New York on Wednesday.

The dollar traded to within two thirds of a cent of this month's record low against the euro, making dollar-priced gold more attractive for non-U.S. investors.

Dealers said that gold was looking well positioned, as the price had managed to absorb some earlier selling during its move higher.

"There has been a bit of selling around, but with the dollar weakening like it has been I can't see the price suffering," one dealer said.

Investors accelerated their dollar sales on Wednesday after data showed net portfolio inflows into the United States dwindled to $48.1 billion in October, the lowest level in a year.

This was less than the country's record trade deficit of $55.5 billion for the same month, highlighting the vulnerability of the U.S. balance of payments.

Third quarter U.S. current account data is due at 1330 GMT and analysts will scour the numbers to see whether the U.S. is attracting enough foreign cash to cover its external imbalance.

"I'm feeling a bit more friendly towards the (gold) market, but there is still a risk of it shifting lower," the dealer said, due to thinner liquidity ahead of year-end.

A fund source said that thinner volumes would not change the overall approach of so -called program dealing -- triggered by the market reaching certain key chart levels.

"We are aware of the (thin) Christmas liquidity, but as systematic traders are not going to change our approach. So we'll buy and sell when we get the usual signals," the fund source said.

Alexander Zumpfe of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein said in a daily report that the underlying tone has turned more positive on bullion as the market seemed to have returned successfully from last week's sharp fund-led drops.

"We will see whether this is enough to change the picture from "sell-into-rally" to "buy into dips"...that could bring a test of the next resistance around 446," he said.

Spot silver eased back slightly to $6.78/6.81 from $6.82/6.86.

Platinum climbed to $843.00/847.00 from late New York's $837.50/842.50, while palladium stood at $183.00/187.00 from $183.50/186.50.

16 Dez 2004 09:14

16.12.2004 08:19:03 TOCOM gold follows New York higher, platinum slips

TOKYO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Tokyo gold futures edged up on Thursday as gains in New York induced mild short-covering, while platinum futures retreated from a one-week high on profit-taking.

The benchmark October 2005 gold contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) settled up seven yen per gram at 1,488, after trading between 1,483 and 1,488.

Other months gained three to six yen.

"The market did not move much as gains from New York were mostly offset by a higher yen," a Tokyo broker said. "Given such a narrow price movement, participants in TOCOM were limited."

Technically, the market looks poised to regain the 1,500 yen level after the benchmark contract filled the gap between 1,478 and 1,487 yen, the broker said. But it lacks upward momentum ahead of the holiday season, he added.

The October contract has regained about half of the losses it sustained from a drop to a one-month low of 1,470 yen set last Thursday from the 12-year high of 1,505 yen hit on Dec. 2.

Operators were keeping their eyes on the currency market and looking forward to U.S. current account data due later in the day as clues for direction.

Spot gold was quoted at $442.25/443.00 an ounce at 0630 GMT, up from Wednesday's New York close of $440.35/441.10, as the dollar came under further pressure after suffering considerable losses on Wednesday.

The dollar was within reach of a record low against the euro on Thursday as concerns about the U.S. trade and current account deficits hardened the market's view the currency's downward spiral would continue.

According to U.S. figures, portfolio inflows into the country dropped to $48.1 billion in October, the lowest level in a year and short of covering the country's record trade deficit for the same month.

At 0630 GMT, the euro was at $1.3414/15 , not far from a record high of $1.3470 hit earlier in the month.

Against the yen, the dollar was at 104.28/30 , losing sight of a one-month high around 106.20 hit less than a week ago.

In the platinum market, TOCOM's benchmark October 2005 contract closed down six yen per gram at 2,750.

Other months lost five to 10 yen.

October platinum rose as far as 2,768 yen in early trade, its highest since Dec. 8, following a rally in New York. But investors rushed to take profits, sending prices into negative territory.

Spot platinum was quoted at $844/849 an ounce at 0630 GMT, against $837.50/842.50 in late New York.

Below are closing prices for TOCOM's most active precious metals contracts, with the day's turnover for each metal.

Closing prices are in yen per gram except for silver, which is in yen per 10 grams.

For open interest details please click :
Closing price Turnover (lots)
GOLD 1,488 (up 7) 33,618
SILVER 231.4 (up 3.9) 4,051
PLATINUM 2,750 (down 6) 37,232
PALLADIUM 626 (down 9) 1,268

16 Dez 2004 09:15

16.12.2004 08:11:16 Gold up in early Europe on US deficit concern

* Gold higher in early European trading on concerns over U.S. trade and current account deficits. Up at $442.25.50/443.00 a troy ounce by 0700 GMT, versus New York's late trade on Wednesday of $440.35/441.10.

* The euro was trading at $1.3421/25 , near late U.S. levels and close to record high of $1.3470 hit this month.

* Silver up to $6.90/6.92 from $6.82/6.86.

* Platinum rises to $844.00/849.00 versus New York's $837.50/842.50.

* Palladium drifts back to $182.00/187.00 from $183.50/186.50.

15 Dez 2004 15:31

15.12.2004 15:14:38 Europe gold pierces resistance at $440 as dlr sags

* Gold rises to pierce resistance at $440 per troy ounce, with buying spurred by dollar weakness after U.S. net capital inflows data comes in weaker than expected.

* Spot gold rises to $440.15/440.90 by 1404 GMT, versus $439.25 before the data, compared with New York's late trade on Tuesday of $435.25/436.00.

* Euro shoots through $1.3400 versus the dollar.

* Foreign investment in U.S. assets fall sharply in October to the lowest level in a year, according to a Treasury Department report.

* Net inflows of capital totalled $48.1 billion in October, after an upwardly revised $67.5 billion in September, the Treasury's International Capital report said.

Den Amis gehen die Sponsoren aus, US-Nettokapitalzuflüsse im Oktober 48,1 nach 67,5 Mrd. Dollar im Vormonat.
Euro über 1,34, Gold ü/440................

Coeur Announces Final Approval for Construction of the San Bartolome Silver Mine
- Expected 2006 Startup to Increase Silver Production Over 40% -

- Project Marks 1st Major Modern Silver Project in Bolivia -

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (NYSE: CDE), the world's largest primary silver producer, announced today the Company's Board of Directors has approved the final go-ahead decision to proceed with construction of its San Bartolome silver project in Bolivia. San Bartolome is expected to increase company-wide silver production over 40% from current levels beginning in 2006 and will further solidify the Company's position as the world's largest primary silver producer.

"The construction of San Bartolome further solidifies Coeur's position as the world's leading primary silver producer," said Dennis E. Wheeler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We expect to produce approximately eight million ounces of silver annually during the first five years of production at an extremely competitive cash operating cost of $3.50 per ounce, which will generate significant cash flow for the Company. The mine has an initial estimated mine life of 15 years. In addition, it's important to note that this is the largest new primary silver mine built in the Americas in decades, the first modern silver project in Bolivia and a major boon to the country's local and national economies."

Construction of the open pit milling operation and processing facility is currently expected to cost approximately $135 million. Total reserves of 123 million ounces of silver are contained in surface gravel deposits, or pallacos, which lend themselves to simple, low-tech surface-mining techniques. These reserves, which measure 35.3 million tons at average grades of 3.48 ounces of silver per ton, are contained in three major areas. Additional mineral resources also hold potential for future expansion.

San Bartolome is located near established industrial infrastructure in the historically silver-rich region of Potosi where more than two billion ounces of silver have been mined. The building of the new mine represents the first modern, large-scale primary silver mine built in Bolivia, generating an expected 500 local jobs during construction, and approximately 370 full-time jobs during operations.

The project will also establish a foundation, called Fundespo, to assist in the development of new local industries, such as silversmithing and tourism.

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is the world's largest primary silver producer, as well as a significant, low-cost producer of gold. The Company has mining interests in Nevada, Idaho, Alaska, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia.

Cautionary Statement

This document contains numerous forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to the Company's silver and gold mining business. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company's control. Operating, exploration and financial data, and other statements in this document are based on information the Company believes reasonable, but involve significant uncertainties as to future gold and silver prices, costs, ore grades, estimation of gold and silver reserves, mining and processing conditions, the completion and/or updating of mining feasibility studies, changes that could result from the Company's future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), regulatory and permitting matters, risks inherent in the ownership and operation of, or investment in, mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in the Company's filings from time to time with the SEC, including, without limitation, the Company's reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. Actual results and timetables could vary significantly from the estimates presented. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact: Tony Ebersole, Director of Investor Relations of Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation, 800-523-1535.

SOURCE Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation
-0- 12/15/2004
/CONTACT: Tony Ebersole, Director of Investor Relations of Coeur d'Alene
Mines Corporation, 800-523-1535/
/Web site: http://www.coeur.com/
(CDE)

CO: Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation; Fundespo
ST: Idaho, Bolivia
IN: CST MNG
SU: PDT

15 Dez 2004 13:34

15.12.2004 13:29:43 Silver fixes up, Europe gold rises on firmer euro

* Silver fixes slightly higher on Wednesday at 678.00 cents compared with 676.50 previously. Spot silver up at $6.76/6.79 by 1213 GMT from $6.70/6.74.

* Silver forward rates on Reuters page indicated at 2.113, 2.062, 2.007 and 1.780 for one, three, six and 12 months respectively.

* Spot gold rises to $438.75/439.50 a troy ounce by 1228 GMT, versus New York's late trade on Tuesday of $435.25/436.00.

* Gold firms in line with euro/dollar strength in thin trade, with market looking out for dollar's reaction to New York Fed manufacturing numbers at 1330 GMT, and net capital flows at 1400.

* Euro last at $1.3366 versus the dollar.

* Platinum rises to $834.00/839.00 versus New York's $830.00/835.00.

* Palladium falls to $183.50/187.50 from $186.50/192.60.

15 Dez 2004 13:21

15.12.2004 12:39:15 Gold rises in Europe on weak dollar, eyes U.S. data

LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Gold prices moved up in Europe on Wednesday morning on a weaker dollar after the U.S. Federal Reserve sounded less hawkish on interest rates than expected, dealers said.

Although gold prices were strengthening, dealers said the market was prone to volatility as volumes were thin, as several participants were reticent to take on new positions ahead of the year-end.

Spot gold rose to $438.25/439.00 per troy ounce by 1126 GMT, compared with $435.25/436.00 late in New York on Tuesday. The euro was firm at $1.3375.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates to 2.25 percent on Tuesday as expected, and in its accompanying statement repeated its aims to tighten policy at a "measured" pace, allowing the euro to firm and boosting the allure of gold for non-U.S. investors.

"The market is pretty quiet so far and all tied up to the euro -- I'd expect it to trade in a narrow range between $436.75-438.25," one dealer said.

The market was expected to focus on further U.S. data, watched for the dollar's reaction after a muted response to Tuesday's record-wide trade gap figures.

New York Fed manufacturing numbers are due at 1330 GMT, and net capital flows are expected at 1400.

Third quarter U.S. current account figures are due on Thursday. The current account deficit is expected to widen to $170.00 billion, from $166.18 billion in the second quarter.

Concerns about U.S. ability to fund its twin deficits have been a major factor behind the dollar's recent slide of over five percent against the euro -- a move that helped usher gold to its highest in nearly 16-1/2 years at $456.75.

Analyst James Moore of TheBullionDesk.com said in a report that gold appeared to have built a solid base at $432-35.

"Short-term resistance should be found in front of $440 and despite the possibility for further year-end book squaring...I think gold has now set itself up for a strong start for 2005 and has the legs to breach $460 and head towards $500," he added.

Palladium fell amid profit-taking, although support was holding around $180. Spot stood at $183.50/187.50 compared with $186.50/192.50 in New York previously.

Platinum firmed to $834.00/839.00 from $830.00/835.00, while silver also rose to $6.76/6.79 from $6.70/6.74.

14 Dez 2004 17:44

14.12.2004 16:59:56 Commodities News Summary

TOP NEWS
> Europe gold eases, support holds ahead of US rates [nL14317520]

LONDON - Gold faltered slightly on Tuesday afternoon in Europe, although support held well as participants looked ahead to an expected rise in U.S. interest rates later in the day.

Spot gold eased to $436.90/437.10 per troy ounce by 1525 GMT, from late New York's $438.40/439.20. The euro stood at $1.3309, up slightly on the day.

- - - -

> World coffee deficit seen in 2005/06 [nL14184915]

LONDON - Global coffee consumption will surpass output by 6.7 million 60-kg bags in 2005/06 on steadily rising consumption and a production drop in top grower Brazil, UK analyst CoffeeNetwork said in a report on Tuesday.

- - - -

> Asia Freight-Rates drop 15 pct but seen rebounding [nT232199]

TOKYO/SEOUL - Oil's descent from record high prices and year-end holidays have slashed up to 15 percent from freight rates this week, but China's booming demand for coal and iron ore and a global economic recovery will keep shipping costs high throughout 2005.

- - - -

> Barrick may buy into Highland Russia gold mine [nL14235653]

MOSCOW/LONDON - Canadian gold giant Barrick Gold (/ABX.TO) is considering buying up to 50 percent of a Russian gold mine run by Britain's Highland Gold Mining (/HGM.L), a senior Highland official said on Tuesday.

- - - -

METALS > S.African chrome mine accident kills seven miners [nL14329068]

JOHANNESBURG - An underground mine accident in South Africa killed seven workers at a chrome mine being developed by Hernic Ferrochrome, the company said on Tuesday.

The accident occurred on Monday afternoon, but the cause is not yet known, Operations Director Jasper Pieters told Reuters.

- - - -

> Bulgaria's KTZM sees 2005 lead output up 20 pct [nL13674643]

SOFIA - Bulgaria's biggest zinc and lead smelter KTZM said on Tuesday it plans to increase lead output by 20-percent next year due to improved efficiency.

- - - -

> Norilsk (/GMKN.RTS) gold unit buys new deposit [nL14249297]

MOSCOW - The gold mining unit of Russian metals giant Norilsk Nickel (/GMKN.RTS), Polyus, said on Tuesday it had acquired a company holding a licence to develop a deposit with estimated gold reserves of over 150 tonnes.

- - - -

> Asia Gold-Premiums steady, ETF talk surfaces [nSP36654]

SINGAPORE - Premiums for gold bars were mostly steady in Asia after year-end profit-taking knocked the price off recent multi-year peaks, triggering fresh demand from jewellers and investors, dealers said on Tuesday.

- - - -

GRAINS, OILSEEDS, LIVESTOCK
> EU, Russia meat row may still resurface [nL14184079]

BRUSSELS - Russia and the European Union are ironing out the last details to allow uninterrupted meat imports from the bloc from 2005 but it is far from certain their lengthy row has been laid to rest, diplomats said on Tuesday.

- - - -

> Brazil gov't raises 2004/05 soy crop forecast [nN14647772]

BRASILIA, Brazil - Brazil's 2004/05 soy crop will be a record 61.4 million tonnes, up from the 59.5 million to 60.8 million forecast in October, the agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.

- - - -

> France has 48,400 T new intervention grain offers [nL13430612]

PARIS - French grain office ONIC said on Tuesday it had received fresh intervention offers for 48,400 tonnes of grain this week, comprising 44,500 tonnes of wheat and 3,900 tonnes of barley.

- - - -

> Low soybean sales cut supply pressure-Oil World [nL1351952]

HAMBURG - Low farmer selling is reducing the pressure from large supplies on the global soybean market but there were no current indications of long-term price rises, Hamburg-based newsletter Oil World said.

- - - -

> EU rapeseed crush to rise further, Oil World says [nL13704833]

HAMBURG - European Union rapeseed crushings exceeded soybean crushings in September and October and were likely to rise further, Hamburg-based newsletter Oil World said.

- - - -

SOFT COMMODITIES > Kraft raises its Maxwell House coffee by 14 percen [nN14656129]

NEW YORK - Kraft Foods Inc. (/KFT.N) said Tuesday it raised the price of its Maxwell House coffee brand by 28 cents per 13-ounce can, becoming the second major U.S. roaster to boost prices in a week.

The 14 percent price increase is retroactive to Dec. 10, a spokeswoman said.

- - - -

> Hungary '04 sugar beet crop seen at 3.45 mln T [nL14209705]

BUDAPEST - Hungary's total sugar beet crop is estimated at 3.45 million tonnes this year, up sharply from just below 2.0 million tonnes in 2003, leading sugar producer Magyar Cukor said on Tuesday.

- - - -

> German 11th sugar beet test shows positive trend [nL14217683]

HAMBURG - The eleventh test on beet arriving at German sugar refineries this season continued to show the overall positive trend seen in previous tests, industry association WVZ said on Tuesday.

- - - -

14 Dez 2004 17:31

14.12.2004 17:24:52 Gold vor US-Zinsentscheid wenig verändert

London, 14. Dez (Reuters) - Der Goldkurs hat sich vor dem US-Zinsentscheid am Dienstag kaum bewegt. Vor der Tagung der US-Notenbank Fed seien auch keine grossen Bewegungen zu erwarten gewesen, sagte ein Händler. Der Markt erwarte allgemeine eine Zinserhöhung von 25 Basispunkten, welches Gold für Anleger aus Fremdwährungsräumen verteuern würde. Im Vorfeld der Zinsentscheidung habe selbst das rekordhohe US-Aussenhandelsdefizit für den Oktober den Dollar nicht nachhaltig unter Druck setzen können, hiess es weiter.

Gold-Spezialist Alexander Zumpfe von Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein zeigte sich skeptisch, dass die jüngste Korrektor des Edelmetalls schon abgeschlossen sei.

Zum europäischen Handelsschluss stand Gold per Feinunze bei 437,20/438,00 Dollar nach 435,65/436,40 Dollar am Vorabend. Das Nachmittagsfixing in London erfolgte bei 437,10 Dollar, nach 438,60 Dollar am Vormittag. Am Montagnachmittag lag das Fixing bei 435,10 Dollar.

Eine Schweizer Grossbank gab den Gold-Kilopreis mit 16.113/16,363 (Vortag 16.095/16.345) sfr an.

ish/pma

13 Dez 2004 17:38

13.12.2004 17:04:59 Commodities News Summary

TOP NEWS
> German grain intervention offers reach 1,604,000 T [nL13698393]

HAMBURG - German farmers have offered about 1,604,000 tonnes of grain for European Union intervention subsidies, up by about 121,000 tonnes in the last week, an official at state agricultural purchasing agency BLE said on Monday.

- - - -

> China copper import surge ends SRB shortage fears [nHKG201876]

HONG KONG - A massive jump in copper imports to China last week, swinging the market into surplus for the first time since August, has quashed fears of a delivery default should the State Reserves Bureau exercise its right to take metal from Shanghai warehouses.

- - - -

> Miner Randgold plays down Iamgold merger reports [nL13477897]

JOHANNESBURG - Gold miner Randgold Resources (/RRS.L) played down reports on Monday that it was considering a merger with Canada's Iamgold (/IMG.TO) and said it was struggling to see the value in such a deal.

- - - -

METALS
> Europe gold firms in thin trade as dollar falls [nL13618586]

LONDON - Gold moved higher in Europe on Monday morning, buoyed by a falling dollar, but trade was sparse with many participants sidelined after last week's steep losses.

Spot gold stood at $436.10/436.90 per troy ounce by 1126 GMT, compared with $433.80/434.60 quoted late in New York on Friday.

- - - -

> Iran plans to privatise aluminium sector [nPAI354912]

TEHRAN - Iran's state-run aluminium company said privatisation and foreign investment were key to reach production of 680,000 tonnes per year, an ambitious expansion plan targetted for the next five years.

- - - -

> INTERVIEW-N.Hydro takes global step with Qatar alu [nL13699147]

OSLO - Norway's Norsk Hydro (/NHY.OL) will boost its global presence by building one of the world's biggest aluminium smelters in Qatar, where cheap energy will make it profitable, a top executive said.

- - - -

> Brazil's Oct aluminum output up 12 pct on yr - ABA [nN1374714]

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Brazil's October 2004 primary aluminum output rose 12 percent to 124,800 tonnes from 111,600 tonnes in the same month last year, the Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL) said Monday.

- - - -

GRAINS, OILSEEDS, LIVESTOCK
> Cyprus seeks 25,000 t feed barley for Dec/Jan [nL13681292]

NICOSIA - The Cyprus Grains Commission issued a buy tender for up to 25,000 tonnes of feed barley on Monday with a scheduled shipment in December 2004 to January 2005, it said.

- - - -

> Cyprus seeks 10,000 T corn for Dec-Jan [nL13692316]

NICOSIA - The Cyprus Grains Commission issued a buy tender on Monday for 10,000 tonnes of corn with a December 2004 to January 2005 shipment date, it said.

The deadline for tender submissions was Dec.16 at 1230 GMT.

- - - -

> Cyprus seeks 10,000 T feed wheat for January [nL13691405]

NICOSIA - The Cyprus Grains Commission issued a buy tender for 10,000 tonnes of feed wheat on Monday with shipment scheduled in January, it said.

The deadline for submission of tenders was 1230 GMT on Dec.16, it said.

- - - -

> Brazil's soy crop seen 63.9 mln tonnes - Celeres [nN13583137]

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Brazil's 2004/05 (October/September) soybean crop was seen at 63.9 million tonnes, unchanged from November's forecast, analysts Celeres said Monday.

- - - -

> Algeria battles desert locust in Mauritan [nL13690050]

ALGIERS - Algeria is helping Mauritania fight swarms of desert locusts in an attempt to stop the crop-eating insects from crossing into Algeria next spring and destroying its harvest, a government official said on Monday.

- - - -

> Exporters sell 135,000 T US soybeans to China-USDA [nWBT002108]

WASHINGTON - Private exporters reported the sale of 135,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans for delivery to China during the current marketing year, the Agriculture Department said on Monday.

The 2004/05 marketing year opened on Sept. 1.

- - - -

> Ukraine's livestock population declines in Nov '04 [nL13414194]

KIEV - Ukraine's livestock population fell to 16,394,000 head in November from 16,668,900 in October and 16,831,100 in September, the State Statistics Committee said on Monday.

- - - -

SOFT COMMODITIES
> EU delays lodging appeal in WTO sugar dispute [nL13698044]

GENEVA - The European Union on Monday delayed lodging its appeal against a world trade ruling that called into question parts of its sugar policy, in a move agreed with those states that brought the action against Brussels.

- - - -

> EU embarks on tricky task of ACP sugar compensatio [nL13705121]

BRUSSELS - The European Union is gingerly moving towards agreeing compensation for former colonies that stand to lose heavily from its ambitious plans to shake up sugar policy but has yet to address the trickiest issue -- funding.

- - - -

> Cuban sugar minister says 23 mills will not open [nN13576911]

HAVANA - Cuban sugar Minister Ulises Rosales del Toro announced 23 mills would remain closed during harvest just getting underway, confirming reports that drought had hurt this year's crop, the official daily Granma said on Monday.

- - - -

> Brazil's S.Minas coffee starts week dry, but rain [nN13578200]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Brazil's key coffee zone of south Minas Gerais started the week dry as rain moved northeast into the forested coffee area and into Espirito Santo and Bahia, private meteorologists Somar said Monday.

- - - -

> Ukraine sugar union seeks to stop '05 import quota [nL13657605]

KIEV - Ukraine's national sugar union Ukrtsukor said on Monday it would ask the government to remove a raw cane sugar import quota of 125,000 tonnes from the 2005 draft budget due to high white sugar output in 2004.

- - - -

> Iran's GTC tenders for 40,000 T raw sugar - trade [nL13640748]

LONDON - Iran's Government Trading Corporation (GTC) tendered on Monday for 40,000 tonnes of raw sugar on an FOB basis for January shipment, trade sources said.

- - - -

Ob der Schwachsinn von Freitag stammt kann ich nun nicht sagen,auf jeden Fall ein Schmarrn.....

13 Dez 2004 17:36

13.12.2004 17:31:39 Gold tritt in richtungslosem Handel auf der Stelle

London, 13. Dez (Reuters) - Der Goldpreise hat sich zum Wochenstart in einem orientierungslosen Handel kaum von der Stelle bewegt. Nach den starken Verlusten der vergangenen Woche übten sich zudem viele Marktteilnehmer in Zurückhaltung, sagten Händler. Allerdings verwiesen Marktteilnehmer auch auf das Aufwärtspotenzial im nächsten Jahr, das sich nach einer gewissen Konsolidierungsphase einstellen dürfte.

Zum europäischen Handelsschluss stand Gold bei 435,65/436,40 Dollar je Feinunze nach 434,60/435,40 Dollar am Freitagabend. Vor zwei Wochen hatte Gold noch bei über 456 Dollar notiert. Das Nachmittagsfixing in London erfolgte bei 435,10 Dollar nach 436,95 Dollar am Vormittag. Am Freitagnachmittag war das Fixing bei 434,00 Dollar erfolgt.

Technisch gesehen sei der durch Gewinnmitnahmen ausgelöste Sinkflug von Gold in der letzten Woche nicht so dramatisch gewesen, da die wichtige Unterstützungsmarke 430 Dollar nicht durchbrochen worden sei, sagte ein Analyst. Die weitere Tendenz hänge nun von der Dollarentwicklung und damit insbesondere von der Zinsentscheidung der US-Notenbank Fed ab. An den Märkte wird allgemein von einer fünften Zinserhöhung in diesem Jahr um 25 Basispunkte auf 2,25 Prozent ausgegangen.

Trotz diesem zunächst negativen Szenario sollte Gold aber nach Aussage von UBS-Analyst John Reade nicht unter 425 Dollar fallen, und im nächsten Jahr dann durchschnittlich bei 440 Dollar zu notieren.

Eine Schweizer Grossbank gab den Gold-Kilopreis mit 16.095/16.345 (Freitag 16.122/16.372) sfr an.

pma/par

Das englische Original hört sich da schon anders an:

13 Dez 2004 17:38

13.12.2004 17:29:59 Europe gold ends stronger as dollar sags

* Gold sprints up late to close in Europe at $437.15/437.90 per troy ounce by 1615 GMT, from $433.80/436.60 in late New York trade on Friday. Resistance seen at $444. * Dollar provides short-term direction, with U.S. currency weaker after last week's rally against the euro and yen stalls. Euro last at $1.3291/94. * Silver finds a floor after shedding more than 15 percent last week. Spot moves up to $6.77/6.81 by 1622 GMT from $6.67/6.71 late in New York on Friday. * Platinum higher at $831.00/836.00 from $828.50/832.50. * Palladium steady at $192.00/197.00 compared with Friday's $191.50/197.50.