Allied (ANV) (BLDP) (CLR) (EROC) (FSLR) (PACW) (DB) Ratings, Price Targets

Allied Nevada Gold Corp (ANV), Ballard Power System (BLDP), Continental Resources, Inc. (CLR), Eagle Rock Energy Partners (EROC), First Solar, Inc. (FSLR), PacWest Bancorp (PACW) and Deutsche Bank (DB) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

Barclays Capital initiated coverage on Allied Nevada Gold Corp (ANV). They placed an "Equal Weight" rating on the company.

Ardour Capital downgraded Ballard Power System (BLDP) from an "Accumulate" rating to a "Hold" rating. They have a price target of $1.75 on the company.

Pritchard downgraded Continental Resources, Inc. (CLR) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Wells Fargo & Co. downgraded Eagle Rock Energy Partners (EROC) from an "Outperform" rating to a "Market Perform" rating.

Susquehanna downgraded First Solar, Inc. (FSLR) from a "Positive" rating to a "Neutral" rating. They slashed their price target from $55.00 to $40.00 on the company.

Wunderlich downgraded PacWest Bancorp (PACW) from a "Buy" rating to a "Hold" rating. They have a price target of $23.00 on the company.

Bank of America upgraded Deutsche Bank (DB) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Saratoga (SARA) (ANV) (BAA) (LBY) (GRZ) (SOQ) Biggest AMEX Gainers

Saratoga Resources, Inc. (AMEX:SARA), Allied Nevada Gold Corp. (AMEX:ANV), Banro Corp. (AMEX:BAA), Libbey Inc. (AMEX:LBY), Gold Reserve Inc. (AMEX:GRZ) and Sonde Resources Corp. (AMEX:SOQ) were the biggest Gainers on the AMEX, Thursday, December 15.

Saratoga Resources, Inc. (SARA) ended the session up 7.51 percent, closing at $6.44. They traded in a range of $6.04 to $6.73. A total of 75,129 shares changed hands.

Allied Nevada Gold Corp. (ANV) ended the session up 5.62 percent, closing at $31.41. They traded in a range of $30.67 to $33.11. A total of 2,704,241 shares changed hands.

Banro Corp. (BAA) ended the session up 5.21 percent, closing at $3.03. They traded in a range of $2.85 to $3.19. A total of 445,684 shares changed hands.

Libbey Inc. (LBY) ended the session up 4.63 percent, closing at $12.42. They traded in a range of $11.89 to $12.75. A total of 61,909 shares changed hands.

Gold Reserve Inc. (GRZ) ended the session up 4.32 percent, closing at $2.90. They traded in a range of $2.78 to $2.93. A total of 21,200 shares changed hands.

Sonde Resources Corp. (SOQ) ended the session up 3.72 percent, closing at $2.23. They traded in a range of $2.14 to $2.25. A total of 110,635 shares changed hands.

Newmont (NEM) (ANV) (STRA) (TSO) (ATRC) (CACI) Upgraded

Newmont Mining Co. (NYSE: NEM), Allied Nevada Gold Corp. (NYSE: ANV), Strayer Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: STRA), Tesoro Co. (NYSE: TSO), AtriCure (NASDAQ: ATRC) and CACI International Inc (NASDAQ: CACI) upgraded by analysts.

Newmont Mining Co. (NEM) was upgraded by RBC Capital from a “Positive” rating to an “Underperform” rating. They have a price target of $87.00 on the company, up from $67.00.

Allied Nevada Gold Corp. (ANV) was upgraded by RBC Capital from a “Positive” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $67.00 on the stock, up from $44.00.

Strayer Education, Inc. (STRA) was upgraded by Sterne Agee from a “Sell” rating to a “Neutral” rating.

Tesoro Co. (TSO) was upgraded by The Benchmark Company from a “Sell” rating to a “Buy” rating. They have a price target of $25.00 on the company.

AtriCure (ATRC) was upgraded by Morgan Keegan from a “Market Perform” rating to an “Outperform” rating. They have a price target of $13.00 on the company, down from $14.00.

CACI International Inc. (CACI) was upgraded by Jefferies (NYSE:JEF)from an “Underperform” rating to a “Hold” rating. They have a price target of $54.00 on the company, down from $56.00.

Allied (ANV) (EGN) (NEE) (SWY) (SYMC) (AKAM) (BMC) Ratings Reiterated

Allied Nevada Gold Corp (NYSE: ANV), Energen (NYSE: EGN), NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY), Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC), Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM) and BMC Software, Inc. (NYSE: BMC) ratings reiterated by analysts.

Dahlman Rose reiterated its "Buy" rating on Allied Nevada Gold Corp. (ANV). They have a price target of $53.76 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) reiterated its "Buy" rating on Energen (EGN).

Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) reiterated its "Buy" rating on NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE). They have a price target of $62.50 on the company.

Citigroup reiterated its "Hold" rating on Safeway Inc. (SWY). They have a price target of $23.00 on the company.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) reiterated an "Overweight" rating on Symantec (SYMC). They have a price target of $26.00 on the company.

Oppenheimer reiterated a "Market Perform" rating on Akamai Technologies (AKAM).

JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an "Underweight" rating on BMC Software, Inc. (BMC). They have a price target of $35.00 on the company.

Randgold (GOLD) (HMY) (GRS) (ANV) (AUY) (GSS) Close Up on Higher Gold Prices

Harmony Gold Mining (NYSE:HMY), Randgold (NASDAQ:GOLD), Gammon Gold (NYSE:GRS), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Yamana Gold (NYSE:AUY) and Golden Star Resources (AMEX:GSS) end higher as gold futures settled up.

Gold futures for August delivery roe $4 to $1,547.70 an ounce. Silver prices were also up, settling at $37.32 an ounce, gaining 2 percent.

The job market in the U.S. was also weak, as the number of people applying for unemployment benefits for the first time climbed to 427,000 last week. Economists had expected the number to fall to 419,000. The number applying for jobless benefits jumped from the prior week too, being upwardly revised from 422,000 to 426,000.

Gold was also stronger on the decision by the European Central Bank to keep its interest rate at the same level. It did give a nod toward raising interest rates in July.

The European Central Bank kept its key interest rate at 1.25 percent. The Bank of England left its main interest rate unchanged at 0.50 percent, a record low.

Golden Star Resources closed Thursday at $2.51, gaining $0.13, or 5.46 percent. Yamana Gold ended the day at $11.90, up $0.14, or 1.19 percent. Allied Nevada Gold closed at $31.62, jumping $0.09, or 0.29 percent. Gammon Gold ended the session at $9.51, climbing $0.54, or 6.02 percent. Randgold closed at $80.08, rising $3.04, or 3.95 percent. Harmony Gold Mining closed at $13.21, increasing $13.21, up $0.24, or 1.85 percent.

Allied Nevada Gold (ANV) Trades Higher on Economic Weakness

Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV) was able to trade in positive territory on Thursday even as gold prices closed down on the day.

Gold for June delivery closed down $3.40, or 0.2 percent, at $1,492.40 a troy ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Silver prices ended the session down. July delivery for silver fell 16.5 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $34.932 a troy ounce.

The ICE Futures' dollar index was down 0.5 percent at 75.106. The U.S. dollar was down against most of its major peers at the end of trading Thursday.

Extremely bad news on Obama's economy pressured the commodity sector.

July contracts had copper falling 5.25 cents to settle at $4.0525 a pound and platinum dropped $10.90 to $1,769 an ounce. June palladium settled down $9.05 at $728.15 an ounce.

Housing sales and manufacturing data revealed an ongoing weak and fragile American economy.

Allied Nevada Gold Corp. participates in the evaluation, acquisition, exploration, and advancement of gold exploration and development projects in the State of Nevada in the United States. Its open pit Hycroft Mine is its gold producer at this time, while the company engages in early stage and advance exploration of over 100 other
properties in Nevada.

Allied Nevada Gold (ANV) closed Thursday at $34.26, gaining $0.25, or 0.74 percent.

Miners (GFI) (RGLD) (ANV) (KGN) (GSS) (BVN) Trade Up

Shares of Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI), Royal Gold (Nasdaq:RGLD), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Keegan Resources Inc (AMEX:KGN), Golden Star Resources (AMEX:GSS) and Compania Mina Buenaventura, S.A (NYSE:BVN) all traded up on Wednesday as gold and silver prices climbed on the day.

June gold climbed $15.80 to $1,495.80 per troy ounce, a 1.1 percent gain on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The less traded May contract was up $15.80, or 1.1 percent, to $1,495.60 a troy ounce.

The silver contract for May delivery gained $1.61, or 4.8 percent, to $35.10 a troy ounce.

A weaker dollar was the major catalyst for gold and silver specifically, and commodities in general on Wednesday.

Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery was up $3.19, or 3.3 percent, to settle at $100.10 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent crude rose $2.31 in London, or 2.1 percent, to settle at $112.30 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the dollar against a basket of six currencies, traded at 75.438, down a little from 75.441 late Tuesday. That was also a factor in gold and silver prices going up.

Royal Gold (RGLD) closed Wednesday at $59.32, gaining $1.48, or 2.56 percent.

Miners (ABX) (GG) (ANV) (NEM) (NG) All Close Up Tuesday

Shares of Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX), Goldcorp (NYSE:GG), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM) and NovaGold Resources Inc. (AMEX:NG) went against the tide of gold prices, all closing up on Tuesday, even though gold prices dropped again.

Gold futures for June delivery closed down $10.60, or 0.7 percent, at $1,480.00 per ounce in New York. Trade ranged from a low $1,471.10 to a high of $1,497.50.

The yellow metal has dropped $100 or 6 percent from its record highs of over $1,575 an ounce set earlier in May.

Silver gained 0.7 percent to settle at $33.80 an ounce. Since the latter part of April it has fallen almost 33 percent from a record high of $49.51.

Newmont closed Tuesday at $53.53, gaining $0.59, or 1.11 percent.

Allied Nevada Gold (ANV) Falls Along with Gold Prices

Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), along with the majority of gold miners, fell again in Wednesday trading, as gold price came under pressure in the ongoing volatile market conditions.

Gold for June delivery dropped $15.50 to settle at $1,501.40 at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The gold price Wednesday traded as high as $1,526.80 and as low as $1,495.40.

Gold lost 1 percent overall and silver plunged close to 8 percent on a broad commodity selloff, as the U.S. dollar index climbed over 1 percent to $75.41, as the euro was weakened by the seemingly endless sovereign debt crisis in Europe that isn't going away.

Gold and silver also garnered no support from rising inflation data. China said prices dropped to 5.3 percent in April from 5.4 percent in March, but that number was higher than the 5.2 percent looked for.

The Bank of England said that inflation could hit 5 percent in 2011.

Silver prices dropped almost $3 to close at $35.51 an ounce.

Allied Nevada Gold Corp. participates in the evaluation, acquisition, exploration, and advancement of gold exploration and development projects in the State of Nevada in the United States.

Allied Nevada Gold (ANV) closed Wednesday at $32.03, falling $2.03, or 5.96 percent.

Eldorado (EGO) (GOLD) (NG) (ANV) (IAG) Trade Down As Gold Drops

Gold and silver prices went through a reversal Friday, as gold closed down and silver rebounded to close higher, putting pressure on gold miners such as Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO), Randgold (NASDAQ:GOLD), NovaGold Resources Inc. (AMEX:NG), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV) and IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG) - which closed down - and gold ETFS.

Gold for June delivery fell $13.10 to close at $1,493.60 at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The spot gold price was down by about $13 an ounce. Silver prices settled up 21 cents to $35.01 an ounce.

The U.S. dollar index was up 0.74 percent to $75.75 as the euro continued to get hammered on the sovereign debt crises in Europe. The euro plunged 1.7 percent last week as Greece was again in the spotlight for the need to probably be bailed out again, as it appears the country refuses to implement austerity measures to deal with the situation, as it, along with numerous countries, has made progressive, socialists promises they aren't able to keep.

Besides the long-term collapse of the U.S. dollar and the European sovereign debt crises, other factors offering support to gold include tightening in China, inflation, and unrest in the middle east.

Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO) closed Friday at $15.11, dropping $0.15, or 0.98 percent.

Miners (ABX) (KGC) (ANV) (RGLD) (AU) Trade Mixed as Gold Jumps Again

Shares of gold miners Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Royal Gold (Nasdaq:RGLD), Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX), AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) and Kinross Gold Corp (NYSE:KGC)close mixed Tuesday as gold bumps up again.

Gold for June delivery added $13.70, or 0.9%, to $1,516.90 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Silver also extended its rebound, with the July contract gaining $1.37, or 3.7%, to $38.47 an ounce.

Separately, HSBC Global Research boosted its average price estimate for gold, silver and platinum.

HSBC raised its gold price projection to $1,525 an ounce from $1,450 an ounce this year, and to $1,500 from $1,300 for 2012.

For silver, the bank sees it averaging $34 in 2011, up from a previous estimate of $26, and $29 from $20 in 2012.

Platinum is seen closing 2011 at $1,850 from $1,750, according to HSBC, and ending 2012 at $1,750 from $1,650.

For palladium, HSBC sees it averaging $825, from $750, in 2011, and $750 from $650 in 2012.

Barrick Gold closed at $47.65, down $0.02, or 0.04 percent.

Miners (GOLD) (ANV) (EGO) (PZG) (NCMGY) Trade Up as Gold, Silver Rebound

Gold miners Randgold (NASDAQ:GOLD), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO), Paramount Gold and Silver (AMEX:PZG) and Newcrest Mining (OTC:NCMGY.PK) closed up Monday as gold prices turned around on Monday.

Gold for June delivery increased $11.86 to settle at $1,503.20 at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange after dropping 4.8 percent in a week. The gold price Monday traded in a range as high as $1,512 and as low as $1,489.

Silver prices jumped $1.82 to close at $37.11 an ounce after plunging 27 percent last week.

According to research firm Lipper, last week almost $1 billion flowed out of silver exchange traded funds (ETFs).

Paramount Gold and Silver (AMEX:PZG) closed Monday at $2.99, gaining $0.16, or 5.65 percent.

Miners (ANV) (EGO) (NXG) (AEM) Mixed as Gold Closes Up

Gold was able to shake itself of silver Friday, as it has been weighed down by the plummeting price of silver in recent trade, which also has been dragging down gold miners Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO), Northgate Minerals (AMEX:NXG) and Agnico-Eagle (NYSE:AEM).

Gold for June delivery climbed $10.20, or 0.7 percent, to $1,491.60 an ounce. Gold lost 4.2 percent last week, as it had settled at a record $1,556.40 an ounce the Friday before. Gold fell 4.2 percent on the week.

Silver for July delivery dropped 95.3 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $35.29 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. It had risen as high as $36.43 an ounce in Friday's trading.

The front-month silver contract had its worst week since late March 1980. Silver for May delivery fell 27 percent in the five-day period — its biggest percent drop since that date. The most-active July contract also was down 27 percent on the week.

Silver has lost 14 percent so far in 2011. On April 25, silver had reached as high as $49.845.

Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO) closed Friday at $15.96, dropping $0.15, or 0.93 percent.

Miners (ANV) (KGC) (EGO) (UXG) (BVN) Pressured as Gold Prices Fall

Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO), US Gold (AMEX:UXG), Compania Mina Buenaventura, S.A (NYSE:BVN) and Kinross Gold Corp (NYSE:KGC) got hammered Thursday as gold and silver prices continue to plunge.

Gold for May delivery, the front-month contract, ended the trading session Thursday down $34, or 2.2 percent, at $1,480.90 per troy ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The silver contract for May delivery closed 8 percent lower, down $3.152, at $36.231 per troy ounce.

Since the Friday settlement price silver has plummeted 25 percent.

The U.S. dollar was also up, adding pressure to the two precious metals, as it gained 2 percent against the euro. That came largely from European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet who suggested there will no interest-rate boost in the near future.

Nothing has changed the underlying fundamentals for gold or silver though, and this is just a healthy correction before gold and silver prices begin moving up again.

As long as easy money policies continue by the Federal Reserve and interest rates remain near zero, there is nothing to stop gold and silver prices from continuing to rise.

Inflation, political unrest, sovereign debt crisis and the collapsing U.S. dollar will also play a major role over time for gold and silver prices.

US Gold (AMEX:UXG) closed Thursday at $7.53, falling $0.56, or 6.92 percent. Kinross closed at $14.78, down $0.73, or 4.71 percent.

Miners (ANV) (SA) (UXG) (TRE) (NCMGY) Trade Mixed as Gold Closes Down

While several events should have helped support gold prices on Wednesday, that wasn't the case, as Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Seabridge Gold (Amex:SA), US Gold (AMEX:UXG), Tanzanian Royalty Exploration (AMEX:TRE) and Newcrest Mining (OTC:NCMGY.PK) closed mixed, as gold for June delivery, the most actively traded contract, fell $25.10 to $1,515.30 an ounce.

Silver prices are the story for commodities and gold at this time, as the plunge in prices is dragging down the overall commodity sector, as traders sell off holdings to take some profits.

Silver fell $3.197, or 7.5 percent, to settle at $39.388 an ounce. That's the third straight day of losses after silver closed in on $50 an ounce mark last week.

Silver for July delivery dropped $2.820, at $39.765 per troy ounce.

The U.S. dollar index lost 0.15 percent to $73.01, dropping from Tuesday's 73.127 close. The dollar index is down 7.5 percent so far in 2011.

Against the euro, the dollar plunged to its lowest level Wednesday since December 2009.

Other than the fall of the dollar, other factors that would have normally supported gold was the underreported decision by the European Union to bail out Portugal for close to 78 billion euros.

Also largely ignored was the ADP Employment Change report for April, which showed the private sector missed the anticipated addition of 200,000 jobs, being able to only generate 179,000 for the month.

Also of note Wednesday was the Institute for Supply Management’s services-sector index, which was weakened more than expected in April, confirming that American growth is slowing.

US Gold (UXG) closed Wednesday at $8.09, gaining $0.02, or 0.25 percent.

Correction for (AEM) (KGN) (GRS) (ANV) (NCMGY) as Gold Prices Fall

Shares of gold miners like Keegan Resources Inc (AMEX:KGN), Agnico-Eagle (NYSE:AEM), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Gammon Gold (NYSE:GRS) and Newcrest Mining (OTC:NCMGY) were suffering Tuesday as the price of gold dropped on the session, as the U.S. dollar gained a little.

Gold for June delivery fell $16.70 to $1,540.40 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The gold price traded in a range as high as $1,551.40 and as low as $1,516.20. The spot gold price fell over $15 for the day.

A temporarily stronger U.S. dollar put some pressure on gold and silver prices Tuesday, as the U.S. dollar index climbed 0.04 percent to $73.09.

Also surprising the market was the decision by India to boost their interest rates by 50 basis points to fight inflation. That puts the lending rate their at 8.89 percent, and the overnight lending rate at 7.25 percent.

Silver fell another $3.49 Tuesday to settle at $42.576 per troy ounce on the Comex division of the Nymex.

Most of pressure on silver prices has come from the CME Group decision to raise margin requirements by 11.6 percent, starting at the close of market on Tuesday.

Gold looks like it's just taking a needed breather before resuming its upward run.

Gold stocks have been overall lagging the price of gold, and that should change assuming the costs of inputs remain lower than the push up in gold prices.

A growing number of gold miners are increasing dividends to attract investors.

Allied Nevada Gold (ANV) closed at $37.74, falling $2.56, or 6.35 percent.

Ivanhoe (IVN) (NXG) (ANV) (AZK) (IAG) Trade Down as Gold Levels

Shares of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (NYSE:IVN), Northgate Minerals (AMEX:NXG), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK) and IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG) closed down as gold prices closed 70 cents above last close.

Gold for June delivery jumped 70 cents Monday to settle at $1,557.10 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. After losing 2.5 percent to drop to $1,540.30, the yellow metal rebounded to $1,577 an ounce.

Silver prices for July lost $2.51 to settle at $46.08 an ounce, after getting crushed 13 percent, as it fell as low as $42.20.

The U.S. dollar index changed directions after an rally early in the trading session Monday and was down 0.09 percent at $72.96. The U.S. dollar index was fell almost 4 percent in April and is struggling to keep from breaking below its record low of $71.

It is surprising to see gold and silver be pressured, as in April gold was up 8.92 percent and silver a whopping 28.72 percent.

One piece of financial information somewhat ignored Monday because of the hoopla surrounding the death of Osama bin Laden, was the manufacturing report concerning China in April which showed production had slowed down during the month. That should help the price of gold and silver going forward.

Ivanhoe Mines closed at $26.16, falling $0.12, or 0.46 percent.

Goldcorp (GG) (KGN) (NXG) (ANV) (NCMGY) Trade Mixed as Gold Price Breaks Records Again

Keegan Resources Inc (AMEX:KGN), Northgate Minerals (AMEX:NXG), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Goldcorp (NYSE:GG) and Newcrest Mining (OTC:NCMGY.PK) closed mixed Friday as gold price records continue be broken.

Gold futures soared past $1,550 an ounce Friday as investors looked for an alternative to the U.S. dollar, which continues to collapse.

The most-actively traded gold contract, for June delivery climbed $25.20, or 1.6 percent, to settle at a record $1,556.40 a troy ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

It roared past its intraday peak to $1,569.80 in electronic trading after the close. May gold rose $25.20, or 1.6 percent, to end at a nearby record $1,556.00. Measured by percent and the U.S. dollar, it's the largest monthly gains since November 2009.

Most-active July silver jumped $1.058, or 2.2%, to a record settlement of $48.599 a troy ounce, while the May contract rose $1.064, or 2.2 percent, to $48.584, just short of its all-time settlement high of $48.70 hit on January 17, 1980. In April, the May silver contract rallied $10.712, or 28.3 percent, to its biggest monthly U.S. dollar gain in Comex history.

The ICE Futures U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.2 percent on Friday, increasing demand for the dollar-denominated precious metals by making them less expensive for foreign buyers.

Inflation concerns in America, Europe, China and Russia also has contributed to the jump in gold prices.

Other factors affecting gold and silver are the collapsing U.S. dollar, sovereign debt crisis in Europe, unrest in the Middle East and consequences of the Japanese earthquake.

Ivanhoe (IVN) (SA) (ANV) (NCMGY) Close Mixed as Gold, Silver Break Records

Seabridge Gold (AMEX:SA), Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (NYSE:IVN) and Newcrest Mining (OTC:NCMGY) closed mixed Thursday as gold and silver prices broke all-time records. It appears investors are taking some profits off the top.

Gold prices shot up while silver prices popped Thursday as investors bought the metals against a weak dollar and higher inflation expectations.

Gold for June delivery settled $14.10 higher at $1,531.20 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The gold price soared to a record intra-day level of $1,538.80 an ounce while the spot gold price rose $6.90.

Silver prices for July moved up $1.55 to settle at $47.54 an ounce.

Spot silver jumped almost 4 percent Thursday to an all time high at $49.51 an ounce, surpassing the previous record set in 1980.

The ICE Futures U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.4 percent. The collapsing greenback aided dollar-denominated gold and silver by making them less expensive for foreign buyers, generating more demand.

Newmont (NEM) (ANV) (IAG) (EGO) (AEM) Close Up as Gold Prices Soar to New Records

Allied Nevada Gold (AMEX:ANV), Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM), IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG), Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO) and Agnico-Eagle (NYSE:AEM) close up as gold prices post new records again.

Gold prices Wednesday soared to another record, reaching as high as $1,529.20 on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, before ending the session at $1,517.10 an ounce for June at the Comex.

At the close of regular trading on Comex, silver for May delivery jumped 91 cents, or 2 percent, to end at $45.96 an ounce. Gold and silver were pushing higher in after-hours trading.

Some of this was the result of Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke saying he won't be doing anything soon to combat the soaring inflation.

Bernanke likes to use the so-called core inflation numbers, which exclude food and fuel, which are part of the surging increase in inflation, but aren't officially counted. Which is why Bernanke can say core inflation will rise 1.3%-1.6%, below its 2% inflation mandate.

As to economic growth, Bernanke admitted it was slowing down in the U.S. in 2011, somewhere in the range of 3.1%-3.3%.

The non-action by the Fed concerning interest rates is a very bullish factor for gold and silver, and will continue to offer support and impetus to the precious metals.

The euro climbed to $1.4782 from Tuesday's $1.464. The U.S. dollar rose against the yen, up to 82.11 yen from Tuesday's 81.53 yen.

Agnico-Eagle closed Wednesday at $67.35, gaining $1.65, or 2.51 percent. Eldorado Gold Corporation ended the day at $18.08, rising $0.52, or 2.96 percent. IAMGOLD closed at $20.57, up $0.76, or 3.84 percent. Newmont Mining closed the session at $58.95, climbing $1.10, or 1.90 percent. Allied Nevada Gold closed at $41.82, gaining $1.97, or 4.94 percent.