Weekly Market Recap 07/10/09

Stock market trading was lighter than normal this week as many investors are still waiting for a signal of a firmer economy. Early in the week, oil prices hit a six week low, which sparked concerns that economic recovery still may be in the distant future. The University of Michigan released a report late in the week showing American consumer confidence has fallen to 64.6 in July from 70.5 in June. Talks of a second Federal Stimulus Package surfaced this week confirming doubts that the tide has not turned for the economy.

Due to overwhelming positive feedback, the Summer Inventory Blowout Sale has been extended through the weekend. The extension allows metal investors and numismatic collectors the opportunity to continue to save up to 75% off regular prices on selected items marked with the “Firecracker” icon. To take advantage of these great prices visit www.APMEX.com.

Here is a brief overview of the highs and lows for the week.

Gold:
Spot Gold prices opened this week at $934.30. The high during the week was the market open on Monday, July 6th at $934.30, while the low for the week was on Wednesday, July 8th at $904.80. Gold ended the week down a bit at $913.40. This week 1 oz. 2009 Gold American Eagles, 2009 Gold Maple Leafs and 1oz. Pamp Suisse Gold Bars were popular items with investors.

Silver:
Spot Silver prices opened this week at $13.42. Silver reached a high of $13.48 on Monday, July 6th, while the low for silver occurred on Wednesday, July 8th, at $12.74. Silver ended the week at $12.70. This week 1oz. 2009 Silver American Eagles, 1oz. Silver Buffalo Rounds and 5 oz. Silver APMEX Rounds were quite popular, as were many silver items included in the Summer Blowout sale.

Platinum:
Spot Platinum prices opened this week at $1186.20, and ended the week down a bit at $1108.20. Many investors continue to be keenly interested in platinum. This week 1oz. Pamp Suisse Platinum Bars, 1oz. 2009 Platinum Maple Leafs and 1 oz. Scotiabank Platinum Bars were in high demand at APMEX.com

Palladium:
Spot Palladium prices opened this week at $250.00, and ended the week down a bit at $238.45. The most popular of these products this week were; 1oz. Pamp Suisse Palladium Bars, 10 oz. Palladium Pamp Suisse Bars and Random Year 1oz. Palladium Canadian Maple Leafs.

Numismatics:
Typically during the Summer season, prices will remain level as many dealers and collectors take a well-deserved breather from their active pursuit of numismatics. That does not seem to be the case this year! Although precious metals prices are a little bit lower than in recent weeks, demand has not abated. Common date US Gold Coins are extremely active on both the wholesale and retail markets, while rare date gold coins have weakened slightly.
Key date coins are also continuing to remain popular and in demand. A well-known key date silver coin, the 1916-D Mercury Dime, is particularly popular and it is one that all Dime collectors need! Early date specimens of Walking Liberty Half Dollars are also a quick-selling commodity. Continuing the “key date” trend is the 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar, a rare coin that continues to advance in price almost regardless of grade!
Early Type Coins have finally retrenched and prices are starting to soften, after many months of very strong price advances. However, we are unsure whether this softening is the start of a correction or a temporary aberration. This may prove to be an excellent opportunity to purchase coins.