Gold Falls for Third Session in a Row on Poor Retail Sales, Dollar Strength

For the third session in a row gold prices plummeted, as poor retail sales and the continued strength of the U.S. dollar put downward pressure on the metal.

It was no surprise to investors that retail sales were weak, but the numbers were down over twice the expected decline, falling by 2.7 percent last month. Declines have happened in the retail sector now for six straight months.

This will continue to hamper commodities as consumers continue to save rather than spend, and demand for goods plummet.

Another factor is the cutting of interest rates by other countries to attempt to jumpstart there economies, which keeps the dollar stronger than it normally would be in these types of conditions.

February delivery for gold dropped by $11.90 to finish the session at $808.80 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Over the last three days gold has plunged by 5.4 percent.

Expected Interest Rate Cuts Should Push Gold Prices Higher

With most expecting the Federal Reserve to cut its benchmark bank-lending rate even further, many believe it's a good time to put some money into gold.

The reasoning is if interest rates are cut, it'll further weaken the U.S. dollar, causing gold to surge upward.

Last weak gold rose by 9.1 percent to $820.50 an ounce.

Gold Futures Up by $25 after U.S. Federal Reserve Rate Cut

The cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve and several other central banks around the world helped gold futures rally again today, as at noon EST it was up by almost $25 an ounce to $911.80.

Investors have started to move their capital to the safe haven of gold as the U.S. dollar is starting to show signs of weakness after a period of strength.

U.S. Federal Reserve rates now stand at 1.5 percent, with the discount rate also dropping by half a point to 1.75 percent.

Other banks cutting rates were the European Central Bank, which dropped it rates from 3.75 percent from 4.25 percent. The Bank of England trimmed their rates from 5 percent to 4.5 percent. Other central banks cutting rates were the Swiss National Bank, The Bank of Canada and the Swedish Riksbank.

Now with more cuts hinted they're on the way, we should see gold start to make the upward run that has been expected for some time.