LONDON: Gold prices fell to near $1,090 an ounce in Europe on Thursday as the euro slipped back towards a nine-month low versus the dollar, pressured by persistent worries about Greece’s fiscal health. Spot gold was bid at $1,092.55 an ounce at 1439 GMT, against $1,097.25 late in New York on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures for April delivery on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell $4.10 to $1,094.10 an ounce. India’s February gold imports are expected to have risen to 30-35 tonnes, according to the head of Bombay Bullion Association Suresh Hundia, from 7.9 tonnes in February 2009. Among other precious metals, silver was at $15.70 an ounce versus $15.96. Platinum was at $1,506.50 an ounce versus $1,505, and palladium at $413.50 versus $420.
Copper falls: Copper fell on Thursday as investors grew cautious about recovery prospects after digesting Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments, and as the dollar rose versus the euro on renewed worries over Greece’s debt. Benchmark copper for three-months delivery on the London Metal Exchange traded at $7,080 a tonne in official rings from a close of $7,155 on Wednesday. Latest LME data showed copper stocks fell 2,450 tonnes to 550,225 while cancelled warrants — material earmarked for delivery out of warehouses — rose to 16,600 tonnes versus 14,000 tonnes. Zinc traded at $2,168 a tonne from $2,204, while battery material lead traded at $2,165 from $2,215. Tin traded at $16,925 from $16,975, and nickel at $20,325 from $20,470. reuters
