Gold rose yesterday, inching closer to $1,000 (U.S.) an ounce, as a weakening U.S. dollar prompted more investors to pile into bullion as a hedge against deterioration of dollar-denominated portfolios. Gold for August delivery settled at $984.40 in New York, up $4.40.


CLOSING PRICES (SPOT)

Gold US$/troy ounce 981.95 6.85

Silver US$/troy ounce 15.98 0.37

Copper US$/lb 2.28 -0.01

Lead US$/lb 0.74 0.00

Zinc US$/lb 0.71 -0.01

Aluminum US$/lb 0.65 0.00

Nickel US$/lb 6.60 -0.01

Oil West Texas US$/bbl 68.55 0.33

Nat Gas Henry Hub US$ mmbtu 4.05 0.19

Nat.Gas AECO C C$/gigajoule 3.10 -0.11

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