Gold, Silver Up as U.S. Reports Post-Holiday Economic Data

Gold and silver prices were moving higher Thursday morning as stocks moved
lower following data on U.S. weekly unemployment for the first week of January,
as well as December retail sales. Spot gold was trading about 0.5% higher at
10:45 a.m., with a bid price of $1,651.50 per ounce and an ask price of
$1,652.50. Spot gold traded as high as $1,663.20 and as low as $1,650. The
London afternoon reference price fix came in at $1,661, $25.50 per ounce higher
than Wednesdays reference price, according to Kitco market data . Spot silver
was up 1.33%, bid at $30.37 per ounce with an ask price of $30.47. The morning
high as of time of writing was $30.81 and the low was $30.24. Thursdays
reference price was set at $30.58 in the London a.m., 77 cents per ounce higher
than Wednesdays price fix. A stronger euro/USD exchange rate likely is
contributing to gold and silvers move higher. The dollar weakened against the
euro Thursday as borrowing costs for Spain and Italy dropped. Spains treasury
reported that it sold 10 billion euros ($12.7 billion) of bonds, twice the
targeted amount, with yields a full percentage point lower than previous
auctions, according to a New York Times report . Italys entire 8.5 billion euro
($10.8 billion) allotment of 12-month bills sold out at yields half or more less
than previous auctions. Here in the U.S., seasonally adjusted initial
unemployment claims for the week ending Jan. 7 rose to 399,000, up 24,000 from
the previous weeks revised 375,000. The four-week moving average was 381,750, up
7,750 from the previous weeks average of 374,00. December 2011 retail and food
services sales totaled $400.6 billion, up 0.1% from November and 6.5%
year-over-year, the Commerce Department reported. Total 2011 sales were up 7.7%,
and sales ex-autos were up 7.3%. Gold and silver prices hit a one-month high in
London morning trading Thursday, according to BullionVault s London Gold Market
Report. Because gold is easy to sell, it has seen the same flight to cash that
risk assets such as equities have suffered, wrote Mark Dampier, the head of
research at UK equity and fund brokerage Hargreaves Lansdown, in Money Marketing
magazine. The attractions of gold remain undiminished I believe the fall back
in price could present a buying opportunity, he added, advising investors to
consider more risky and potentially more rewarding exposure to gold through
mining stocks. Gold and silver trusts were showing healthy gains in Thursday
morning activity on U.S. exchanges. The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD ) was showing
gains of 0.75%. The iShares Gold Trust (NYSE: IAU ) was up 0.7%. The iShares
Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV ) was up 1.5%. Gold mining ETFs were showing gains,
while the Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSE: SIL ) was flat. The Market Vectors
Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDX ) was showing gains approaching 0.9%. The Market
Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDXJ ) was up 0.7%. The Global X Silver
Miners ETF was flat. Gold mining shares were mixed to broadly higher, with
shares of Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY ) surging up more than 4%. Agnico-Eagle Mines
(NYSE: AEM ) was mostly flat. Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX ) was up about 0.2%.
Eldorado Gold (NYSE: EGO ) was down around 0.6%. Goldcorp (NYSE: GG ) was up
1.35%. Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM ) was up just shy of 0.8%. NovaGold Resources
(AMEX: NG ) was nearly 3% higher. Yamana Gold was up about 4.4%. Silver mining
shares were showing strong gains, with Pan American Silver (NASDAQ: PAAS ) the
exception. Hecla Mining (NYSE: HL ) was recovering some ground after Wednesdays
staggering losses . Coeur dAlene Mines (NYSE: CDE ) was moving higher, up some
1.8%. Hecla Mining was up around 4.1%. Pan American Silver was down more than
0.8%. Silver Wheaton (NYSE: SLW ) was showing gains of 1.45%. Silver Standard
Resources (NASDAQ: SSRI ) was up some 2.65%. As of this writing, Andrew Burger
did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. Adrian Ash of
BullionVault contributed to this report.

Top Dow 30 Stock Performers; Stock Market News Today NYSE; Winners Alcoa AA, Caterpillar CAT, Du Pont DD; Loser Chevron CVX

Stock Market Review Dow 30: Although the primary indices struggled during the
initial half of the last trading session, the DJIA, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 finished
the day in the green across the board. Home based economic reports were weaker
than expected and this pressured investors stock positions during the session,
as well as the primary index composite trends. Ultimately, the DJIA found
positive ground, as did the last-trade close prices for several of the Dows top
winners on the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the session on the
positive side of break-even overall. Officially, the DJIA closed out higher by
.17 percent at 12,471.02. Top Winners for the Dow last trading session: The top
three performers of the DOW 30 last session were Alcoa Inc. AA , Caterpillar
Inc. CAT , and Du Pont DD . Alcoa finished the last session higher by 3.12
percent and posted a last trade floor price of 9.93. Caterpillar Inc. finished
the last session higher by 2.31 percent and posted a last trade floor price of
101.94. Du Pont finished the last trading session higher by 1.69 percent and
posted a final trade price at 48.10. Dow 30 Loser last session: Chevron Corp was
the top loser on the day for the Dow 30. Chevron Corp. CVX finished the last
trading session lower by 2.60 percent and posted a final trade price at 104.97.
Frank Matto

Xstrata to Appeal Against Denial on Tampakan Mine #Xstratacopper, #tampakanmine, #Sagittariusmines

So the verdicts out. Its no go for Xstrata Plc and Indophil Resources in
continuing with open pit mining method on the $5.9 billion copper-gold Tampakan
project, potentially slowing its development as the biggest untapped deposit in
Southeast Asia. Slated to begin commercial production by 2016, the Tampakan
project is now put on hold because the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) has issued a notice to reject its application of an Environment
Clearance Certificate (ECC). DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said last month he would
not allow the issuance of an ECC for the project until a local ban on open-pit
mining in South Cotabato in southern Philippines was lifted. In response,
Xstrata Plcs Philippine unit has said that it is "extremely disappointed".
Sagittarius Mines Inc, the operator for the Tampakan project is rooting for an
appeal. In an email statement, Sagittarius President said that the rejection
contradicts the national government's view that "national laws which permit
open-pit mining methods should take precedence over conflicting provincial
ordinances." He also added, "This lack of consistency by the national
government poses a very real threat to investment confidence in the
Philippines." The Tampakan mine, which shall be the largest foreign direct
investment in the Philippines, is projected to produce 340,000 metric tons of
copper and 350,000 ounces of gold annually from 2016 into 2036. Unless the
government fixes its policy problems, this ban could potentially dampen
investment funds in the mining industry to develop the countrys estimated $1
trillion in mineral resources. Sagittarius Mines GM, Mr Mark Williams, DENR
Secretary Ramon Paje and Mr Steve De Kruijff, COO of Xstrata Copper will all be
speaking at the Asia Mining Congress 2012. It will be interesting to get
insights and perspectives from all three parties. Do not miss out on this rare
opportunity to mingle with the whos who in the industry. Download the programme
brochure here. Now its your chance to network even before the Congress. Join the
Mining Nuggets on Facebook and connect with mining professionals and investors.

Todays DJIA Dow Jones Industrial Average Index DJX: Nasdaq Index; S&P 500 Index; Stock Market Investing News Today

Todays DJIA, Nasdaq, S&P 500 News: Market news and reactions appeared to be
reversed during the last trading session. The primary stock indices were
pressured during the session, but it might be for reasons that you would not
expect. The DJIA , Nasdaq, and S&P 500, were weighed down during the last
trading session due to weaker than expected economic home based economic
reports. After a batch of reports in the U.S. skewed toward the positive, the
negatively skewed reports last session were surprising for some. Ultimately
though, the primary indices found positive ground to close. Unemployment benefit
claims, as well as retails sales data, posted weaker than expected and applied
the primary pressure to the indices last session. Negative weight stemming from
the eurozone debt crisis sat on the back back burner. According to the
governments statistics, the number of Americans that applied for initial
unemployment benefits for the week ended January 7th calculated to 399,000. This
was almost 25,000 more applications made than analysts had expected. Also, the
data stemming from the retail sales report was weaker than expected. According
to this report, the number of retail sales for the month of December rose only
.1 percent which was also below what analysts were anticipating. Stock indices
absorbed the weaker than expected economic reports and still closed in the green
across the board. Dow Jones Close, S&P 500 Close, Nasdaq Close: The Dow Jones
Industrial Average finished the last session in the green by .17 percent and
posted a closing value of 12,471.02 for the last session. The Nasdaq index
finished the day in the green by .51 percent and posted a closing value of
2,724.70. The S&P 500 finished the day in the green by .23 percent and posted a
floor price of 1,295.50 Stocks were challenged throughout the last trading
session, but ultimately managed to end the day on the positive side of
break-even. Frank Matto Frank Matto

Todays Gold price per ounce Spot gold price per gram; Spot silver price per ounce; Live Gold and Silver News Today

Gold price Silver Price Market News Today: Investors gained confidence in
Europe during the last trading session. The dollar fell versus the euro and
other global currencies and gold and silver contract prices moved in a positive
direction. Europe experienced some good news this week as investors were happy
to observe the positive turnout for Italy and Spains first debt auction. The
demand was there and this action helped to subdue the anxieties relevant to the
eurozone debt crisis for now. The primary stock composites in the U.S. finished
green across the board, after initially showing signs of dropping lower.
Ultimately, the euro lifted and the dollar cooled. The inverse relationship
between the dollar and precious metal gold presented. Gold and silver contracts
both finished the last trading session on the positive side of break-even. Gold
price per ounce and silver price per ounce close review: Contract gold for
February delivery finished the last trading session higher by .49 percent and
posted a floor price close at 1647.70 per troy ounce. One month change status
for precious metal gold is just negative at this point in time. Contract silver
for March delivery finished the last trading session higher by .78 percent and
posted a final floor price at 30.12 per troy ounce. One month change status for
precious metal silver is negative by about 3.7 percent at this point in time.
Spot gold and spot silver price trends: After last session close and prior to
todays session open, spot gold price per gram was higher by .10 at 52.82. Spot
silver price per ounce trends were running positively by about .23 percent at
30.12. Overall, price trend-line movement was positively sloped for gold and
silver during the last trading session. Camillo Zucari

Top 10 Most Profitable Real Estate Stocks: WPC, HGSH, CNR, SFUN, FOR, APSA, BAM, IRS, TRC, SYSW (Jan 12, 2012)

Below are the top 10 most profitable Real Estate stocks for the last 12 months.
Four Chinese companies (HGSH, CNR, SFUN, SYSW) are on the list. W. P. Carey &
Co. LLC (NYSE:WPC) is the 1st most profitable stock in this segment of the
market. Its net profit margin was 41.80% for the last 12 months. Its operating
profit margin was 38.76% for the same period. China HGS Real Estate, Inc.
(NASDAQ:HGSH) is the 2nd most profitable stock in this segment of the market.
Its net profit margin was 35.10% for the last 12 months. Its operating profit
margin was 37.17% for the same period. China Metro Rural Holdings Ltd (AMEX:CNR)
is the 3rd most profitable stock in this segment of the market. Its net profit
margin was 34.67% for the last 12 months. Its operating profit margin was 62.28%
for the same period. SouFun Holdings Limited (ADR) (NYSE:SFUN) is the 4th most
profitable stock in this segment of the market. Its net profit margin was 33.83%
for the last 12 months. Its operating profit margin was 41.57% for the same
period. Forestar Group Inc. (NYSE:FOR) is the 5th most profitable stock in this
segment of the market. Its net profit margin was 32.34% for the last 12 months.
Its operating profit margin was 58.87% for the same period. Alto Palermo S.A.
(ADR) (NASDAQ:APSA) is the 6th most profitable stock in this segment of the
market. Its net profit margin was 31.25% for the last 12 months. Its operating
profit margin was 55.52% for the same period. Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
(USA) (NYSE:BAM) is the 7th most profitable stock in this segment of the market.
Its net profit margin was 29.97% for the last 12 months. Its operating profit
margin was 31.68% for the same period. IRSA Inversiones Representaciones (ADR)
(NYSE:IRS) is the 8th most profitable stock in this segment of the market. Its
net profit margin was 17.38% for the last 12 months. Its operating profit margin
was 42.81% for the same period. Tejon Ranch Company (NYSE:TRC) is the 9th most
profitable stock in this segment of the market. Its net profit margin was 17.16%
for the last 12 months. Its operating profit margin was 23.61% for the same
period. Syswin Inc (ADR) (NYSE:SYSW) is the 10th most profitable stock in this
segment of the market. Its net profit margin was 15.43% for the last 12 months.
Its operating profit margin was 23.27% for the same period.

3 Stocks Even Wall Street Fat Cats Expect to Crash

Wall Street is a rigged game. And if you're an individual investor with just
a few thousand dollars at play, the quicker you learn this the better off
you'll be. Right now were in the middle of earnings season, one of the biggest
pieces of Wall Street theater, and lots of folks will be crowing about
"beating expectations." But consider that the majority of stocks in the S&P
500 index have beaten the Street every year since the third quarter of 1998 .
Particularly galling was that in Q3 of 2009, right after the market bottomed,
nearly 80% of companies in the S&P topped forecasts. See what I mean? Don't
tell me the analysts just happen to set the bar that low on accident. Further
proof: Factset reports that of the more than 10,500 ratings on S&P 500 stocks
heading into 2012, 54% were buy ratings, 42% were holds but just 4% were sell
ratings. That's right. According to the "experts," youre safe if you're
hanging on to 96% of equities out there. Wrap your head around that one. I could
rant for a while about the so-called "smart money" on Wall Street. But
whining doesn't change anything. So, so let's talk about how you can find a
way to count cards in this rigged game, and maybe make a few bucks in the
process. Here's my tip: If 95 "experts" on Wall Street are saying to buy a
stock and fiver are telling you to sell those five folks probably represent a
majority opinion. After all, sticking your neck out to make a crazy downside
call is no way to make a living on Wall Street. The order of the day is always
outrageous upside targets like the $700 to $800 forecasts for Apple (NASDAQ:
AAPL ) over the last year or two from "top investment banks." If any of the
cheerleading fat cats on Wall Street has given up, thats a sure-fire sign that
disaster is about to strike. So what stocks are so awful that even buy-happy
analysts have to admit that theyre doomed? Here are three in particular: