Gold prices burst through $500 a troy ounce for the first time in 18 years yesterday on a wave of buying from Japanese private investors, but fell back quickly after trading in the Far East finished.
自1999年以来,金块价格一直在上涨,形成金价1968年自由浮动以来最长的上涨期。
The price of gold bullion has been rising since 1999, marking its longest upward run since it was freely floated in 1968.
但金价近期涨至创纪录水平时,美元对各关键货币也升至两年高点,且油价下跌,这两个因素通常会拖低金价。
But its recent run to record levels has come as the dollar has risen to two-year highs against key currencies and as oil prices have fallen – two factors that would normally drag gold prices lower.
最近的这轮价格暴涨,似乎纯粹由日本私人投资者的投机兴趣推动。
The latest price surge appears to have been driven purely by speculative interest from private investors in Japan.
Gold rose to a peak of $502.30 during Asian trade, but fell back during European trade to $498. Gold was also at long-term highs in other currencies, including the euro, yen and sterling.
“The fact that gold fell below $500 so quickly after trading in the Far East finished reflects the fact that the $500-$503 area could be a tough one to break,” said Martin Stokes, vice-president of commodities at JPMorgan.
Mr Stokes said private investors had moved into gold on the belief that central banks might buy more gold. But few gold enthusiasts expect central banks to buy bullion at these high prices.
The last time gold moved above $500 was in December 1987 but it only stayed there for a day. In 1983 it remained above this level for 10 days. During the heady days when gold peaked at $850 in 1980 the precious metal remained above $500 for 13 months.
Gold‘s rise yesterday was accompanied by platinum breaking through the $1,000 an ounce level for the first time since 1980. But like gold, platinum also fell back quickly, dropping to $994 in late European trade.