Well, this week the metals declined even more with all four metals encountering new 30-day low points. Plus, over those 30 days, the differences between the highs and lows range from $15 (silver) to $374 (platinum).
For some, those decreases dealt their investment opportunities a severe blow. For others, they are taking the opportunity to purchase more of the metals, in particular, gold and silver.
Let’s look at the charts for the 30 days.
First, there’s gold:
Next is silver:
Third is platinum:
Last is palladium:
Just look at those charts – downhill every one, though gold and platinum had small increases at the end of the week. The metals’ values went up and down but at different times and with differing levels.
Gold started the week by closing down from its previous Friday values. Tuesday saw gold increase slightly only to turn around and lose on Wednesday to below Monday’s closing value. On Thursday, gold climbed a small amount which continued on Friday. Gold ended the week on an upnote but recorded a loss for the week’s performance.
Silver operated somewhat differently by alternating between down and up days. Like gold, silver’s Monday close was down from the previous Friday. On Tuesday, silver went up over a dollar only to fall almost two dollars on Wednesday. By Thursday’s close, silver regained $0.74 of which it lost $0.70 by Friday’s close. Silver started the week and ended the week going downward.
Platinum, on the other hand, began the week going downward and continued to do so until Friday. At the end of the week, platinum increased by $3.00 over its Thursday closing value.
This week, palladium behaved like silver – down, up, down, up and down. Palladium’s close at the end of the week introduced the metal’s new 30-day low point.
Let’s review all four metals’ 30-day highs and lows:
| 30 day high | 30 day low | Sep 30 Last | Difference between High and Low |
|
| Gold | $1,900.30 | $1,598.00 | $1,624.80 | 15.9% |
| Silver | $43.25 | $28.16 | $29.97 | 34.9% |
| Platinum | $1,885.00 | $1,511.00 | $1,523.00 | 19.8% |
| Palladium | $786.00 | $611.00 | $611.00 | 22.3% |
At a difference of $15.09, silver has lost the largest percentage over the 30 days, however platinum lost the largest dollar amount at $374. Gold has lost $302.30 while palladium lost $175.
Let’s compare week-over-week performance:
| Sep 23 Last | Sep 30 Last | Percent Change | Dollar Change |
|
| Gold | $1,657.20 | $1,624.80 | -2.0% | -$32.40 |
| Silver | $30.93 | $29.97 | -3.1% | -$0.96 |
| Platinum | $1,608.00 | $1,523.00 | -5.3% | -$85.00 |
| Palladium | $634.00 | $611.00 | -3.6% | -$23.00 |
Platinum lost the most in percentage and in dollars this week which leads to an interesting day-by-day closing value comparison for the metals.
| mon | tues | wed | thu | fri | |
| gold | $1,628.00 | $1,649.70 | $1,609.70 | $1,615.90 | $1,624.80 |
| platinum | $1,557.00 | $1,553.00 | $1,526.00 | $1,520.00 | $1,523.00 |
| silver | $30.75 | $31.88 | $29.93 | $30.67 | $29.97 |
| palladium | $628.00 | $646.00 | $617.00 | $620.00 | $611.00 |
In the past, platinum remained ahead of gold. In 2010, platinum’s value exceeded gold’s in the $300 range and approached the $400 range a few times. Early in 2011, platinum almost achieved a $500 premium over gold.
But, look at it now. The difference between the two metals didn’t get below $200 until June. By the end of August, platinum was below gold. Now, platinum’s value is more than $100 below gold’s. Interesting, very interesting.
As evidenced by this year, the metals can fluctuate wildly in comparison to themselves and to each other. The next year, especially between now and November 2012, will show more wild swings in the metals.