Spot gold holds at $1635.50/oz, after trading in a $1631.30 to $1646.90 range. The precious metal broke above its 200-day moving average Tuesday (at 1635 currently) and then earlier Wednesday took out the twin peaks from Dec 14/Dec 21 around $1641-1641.50, but saw little followthrough so far. CitiFX technicals say a close above the 200-day "would add to the bullish bias and open the way for the trend resistance at 1698 in the near term, followed by $1802.(Nov 8 high at $1802.60). They maintain their longer-term view that gold will move to new trend highs "over time and ultimately towards the $2400 target later this year."
Crude oil futures extended declines after a U.S. government report showed inventories increased almost five times as much as expected.
Inventories of crude oil gained 4.96 million barrels to 334.6 million, the department said.
Currently Feb NYMEX crude oil futures are trading at $100,74 per barrel (-1,47%).