Aurizon (AZK) (AWK) (KO) (LAZ) (MA) (DTG) Ratings, Price Targets

Aurizon Mines Ltd. (NYSE: AZK), American Water Works (NYSE: AWK), The Coca Cola (NYSE: KO), Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ), MasterCard (NYSE: MA) and Dollar Thrifty (NYSE: DTG) ratings and price targets.

American Water Works (AWK) was upgraded by Ladenburg Thalmann from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating.

Aurizon Mines Ltd. AZK) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating.

The Coca Cola (KO) was downgraded by UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating.

Lazard Ltd (LAZ) was downgraded by Citigroup (NYSE:C) from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating.

MasterCard (MA) was downgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating.

Dollar Thrifty (DTG) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating.

Miners Barrick (ABX) (HMY) (GOLD) (MGH) (AZK) Trade Up

Shares of Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX), Harmony Gold Mining (NYSE:HMY), Randgold (NASDAQ:GOLD), Minco Gold Corporation (AMEX:MGH) and Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK) all traded up on Wednesday as gold and silver prices climbed on the day.

Jaguar Mining soared on an earnings beat, closing up over 23 percent 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.

Harmony Gold Mining (HMY) closed Wednesday at $13.48, gaining $0.21, or 1.58 percent.

Barrick (ABX) (AZK) (GSS) (RGLD) (GRS) Trade Mixed 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 Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), Golden Star Resources (AMEX:GSS), Royal Gold (Nasdaq:RGLD) and Gammon Gold (NYSE:GRS) - which closed mixed - 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.

Barrick closed Friday at $45.01, down $0.14, or 0.31 percent.

Miners (NG) (NEM) (UXG) (IAG) (AZK) Trade Mixed as Gold, Silver Rebound

Gold miners NovaGold Resources Inc. (AMEX:NG), Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM), US Gold (AMEX:UXG), IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG) and Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK) closed mixed Monday as gold prices turned around on Monday.

All the miners above closed positive with the exception of Aurizon Mines.

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).

The U.S. dollar fell to $1.434 against the euro and dropped against the Japanese yen to 80.24 yen.

US Gold (UXG) closed Monday at $7.81, gaining $0.30, or 3.99 percent.

Miners (GFI) (FCX) (NEM) (KGN) (AZK) 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 Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI), Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX), Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM), Keegan Resources Inc (AMEX:KGN) and Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK).

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.

Newmont (NEM) closed Friday at $53.72, gaining $0.97, or 1.77 percent.

Top AMEX Losers (MGN) (IEC) (GST) (AFP) (AZK) (6-10) on May 6

The top American Stock Exchange losers (6-10) - as measured by percentages Friday on the Exchange - include Mines Management, Inc. (AMEX:MGN), IEC Electronics Corp. (AMEX:IEC), Gastar Exploration Ltd. (AMEX:GST), United Capital Corp. (AMEX:AFP) and Aurizon Mines, Ltd. (AMEX:AZK).

Mines Management, Inc. (MGN) closed Friday at $2.20, down $0.08, or 3.51 percent.

IEC Electronics Corp. (IEC) ended the day at $7.69, down $0.27, or 3.39 percent.

Gastar Exploration Ltd. (GST) closed at $4.00, falling $0.14, or 3.38 percent.

United Capital Corp. (AFP) closed at $25.56, declining $0.88, or 3.33 percent.

Aurizon Mines, Ltd. (AZK) closed Friday at $5.56, plunging $0.18, or 3.14 percent.

Miners (GRS) (NG) (SA) (AZK) (ABX) Pressured as Gold Prices Fall

Gammon Gold (NYSE:GRS), NovaGold Resources Inc. (AMEX:NG), Seabridge Gold (Amex:SA), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK) and Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX) 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.

NovaGold Resources Inc. (NG) closed Thursday at $10.84, falling $1.05, or 8.83 percent.

Miners (KGC) (GSS) (AZK) (AEM) (BVN) Trade Mixed as Gold Closes Down

Even though several events should have helped support gold prices on Wednesday, that wasn't the case, as Kinross Gold Corp (NYSE:KGC), Golden Star Resources (AMEX:GSS), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), Agnico-Eagle (NYSE:AEM) and Compania Mina Buenaventura, S.A (NYSE:BVN) 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.

Kinross Gold Corp (KGC) closed Wednesday at $15.51, gaining $0.57, or 3.82 percent.

Correction for (AZK) (EGO) (RGLD) (FCX) (GFI) as Gold Prices Pull Back

Shares of gold miners like Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO), Royal Gold (Nasdaq:RGLD), Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) and Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI) 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.

Eldorado Gold Corporation (EGO) closed at $16.78, falling $1.39, or 7.65 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.

Agnico (AEM) (AZK) (GSS) (RGLD) (GRS) Close Up as Gold Price Breaks Records Again

Agnico-Eagle (NYSE:AEM), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), Golden Star Resources (AMEX:GSS), Royal Gold (Nasdaq:RGLD) and Gammon Gold (NYSE:GRS) closed up 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.

Northgate (NXG) (AZK) (TRE) (GRS) Close Mixed as Gold, Silver Break Records

Northgate Minerals (AMEX:NXG), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), Tanzanian Royalty Exploration (AMEX:TRE) and Gammon Gold (NYSE:GRS) closed mixed Thursday even as gold and silver prices broke all-time records. It appears investors are taking some profits off the top.

Gold prices soared while silver prices climbed 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.

Randgold (GOLD) (GSS) (AZK) (KGN) Close Mixed as Gold, Silver Routed

Gold prices were down from records set the previous trading session, temporarily falling below the important $1,500 level, but the losses in the yellow metal were somewhat benign, as gold miners Randgold (NASDAQ:GOLD), Golden Star Resources (AMEX:GSS), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK) and Keegan Resources Inc (AMEX:KGN) closed mixed.

On the other hand, silver futures plunged Tuesday as investors took profits from record prices as uncertainty over the Federal Reserve policy decision coming up could have an adverse effect on the metals' unprecedented rally.

There is some wariness by some on how the Federal Reserve might respond in light of recent signs of higher food and energy prices.

Silver took a beating Tuesday. After setting records for seven out of the last eight trading sessions. Silver closed Tuesday almost 10 percent below Monday's intraday record $49.820.

The most actively traded silver contract, for May delivery, fell $2.099, or 4.5%, to settle at $45.050 a troy ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Front-month April silver lost $2.093, or 4.4%, to finish at $45.058.

Most-active Comex June gold was down $5.60, or 0.4 percent, to settle at $1,503.50 a troy ounce while the nearby April contract fell $5.60, or 0.4 percent, to end at $1,503.00.

Gold trading near $1,500 an ounce has increased buying in silver as a less expensive alternative.

IAMGOLD (IAG) (AZK) (TRE) Close Down as Gold Breaks Another All-Time Record

Gold and silver prices are continuing their upward move, even as gold miners IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK) and Tanzanian Royalty Exploration (AMEX:TRE) all closed down, as investors took some profits as the yellow metal continued its upward run.

Gold closed at a new high, jumping $5.30 to settle at $1,509.10 an ounce at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gold had ended the session above $1,500 for the first time last Thursday.

Today's Gold trading had the Globex June Gold contract trading at $1519.20 before a profit taking sell-off mid to latter part of the trading session.

Silver prices soared to a 31-year high again, settling at $47.15, up $1.09 for the day, or 2.4 percent. April silver futures in New York traded as high as $49.10 an ounce but dropped to close at $47.15 mark.

The more active May silver contract soared just shy of the $50 level, trading as high as $49.82 before falling back.

An incredible number of silver and gold contracts were sold Monday, reaching 109,000 for gold and 199,000 for silver. Silver prices were volatile, moving in a $4.18 range.

The majority of this is based upon the collapsing U.S. dollar, tightening in China, sovereign debt crisis in Europe, unrest in the Middle East, deepening inflation and consequences of the Japanese earthquake.

The DXY index of the U.S. dollar's value against a basket six other major currencies dropped 0.2 percent to 73.99, its lowest level since August 2008. It's down 6.4 percent so far in 2011.

Barrick (ABX) (AZK) (GRS) (AU) Close Mixed Thursday as Gold Prices Break New Record

Gold futures hit another record high on Thursday, as gold gold for June delivery settled up $4.90 at $1,503.80 an ounce on the Comex. That was a new settlement high. The contract also reached an intraday high at $1,509.60 an ounce earlier in the day. Gold miners Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX), Gammon Gold (NYSE:GRS) and AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) closed mixed Thursday asr most have been running up with the breaking of gold price records on a daily basis recently.

Silver settled at a 31-year high just over $46 an ounce. The most active Thursday silver contract, for May delivery, settled at a record $46.059 a troy ounce, up $1.598 or $3.6 percent.

The front-month contract, for April delivery, settled up $1.597, or 3.4 percent, at $46.062 a troy ounce, a 31-year high. Silver is quickly approaching its record high of $50.36 an ounce, set in 1980.

A collapsing U.S. dollar continues to be a major part of the gold and silver price story, as the U.S. government refuses to cut spending and limit its size, while the Federal Reserve endlessly has its digital printing presses running, pushing down the value of the greenback.

The dollar index .DXY fell 0.4 percent to 74.092 after falling to 73.735, its lowest level since August 2008.

Other important factors include tightening in China, sovereign debt crisis in Europe, sovereign debt crisis in America, unrest in the Middle East, deepening inflation and impact of the Japanese earthquake.

The weak U.S. dollar and inflation concerns increased the attraction of gold. Spot gold XAU= hit a record high at $1,508.75 before cutting gains, while spot silver XAG= jumped to a 31-year high at $46.68 an ounce.

Spot gold prices rose during the first quarter from $1,380 an ounce on January 3 to $1,430 on March 31.

AngloGold Ashanti closed Thursday at $49.98, jumping $0.24, or 0.48 percent. Gammon Gold ended the day at $10.78, closing level with the prior trading day. Barrick Gold closed at $55.63, rising $0.82, or 1.50 percent. Aurizon Mines ended the session at $6.76, up $0.08, or 1.17 percent.

Barrick (ABX) (AZK) (RGLD) (JAG) Close Up as Gold Breaks Record Again

Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), Jaguar Mining (NYSE:JAG), Royal Gold (Nasdaq:RGLD) and Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX) closed Up on Wednesday as gold continues to break records on a daily basis recently.

Gold prices soared to another intraday record, reaching as high as $1,506.20 an ounce before pulling back to settle for June delivery in at $1,498.90 an ounce, an increase of $3.80 at the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Wednesday was the fourth session in a row gold prices broke an intraday record, as well as settling at a new record as well.

After breaking the $45 level, silver prices ended the day up 54 cents to close at $44.46 an ounce. That was also another 31-year high as it pushes to break $50 and move on to an all-time record.

Gold and silver prices continue to soar on safe-haven buying with the major impetus at this time probably being a collapsing U.S. dollar. The U.S. dollar index was plunging 0.84% to $74.43 as it continues to struggle after Monday's S&P downgrade of the U.S. economy, and warning of a credit downgrade if the U.S. doesn't quit its outrageous spending and reduce its debt.

The downgrade of U.S. debt, sovereign debt crisis in Europe, Chinese inflation, soaring oil prices, and the ongoing fallout from the earthquake in Japan are just some of the other factors offer support to gold.

The gold-silver ratio, which measures how many silver ounces are needed to acquire an ounce of gold, fell under 34 — its lowest level since 1983.

Barrick Gold closed Wednesday at $54.81, gaining $0.58, or 1.07 percent. Royal Gold closed at $58.33, up $1.87, or 3.31 percent. Jaguar Mining ended the trading session at $5.90, rising $0.44, or 8.06 percent. Aurizon Mines closed at $6.84, jumping $0.21, or 3.17 percent.

Gold Breaks $1,500 as NovaGold (NG) (EGO) (AZK) (TRE) Close Mixed

After blowing past the $1,500 an ounce mark on Tuesday, gold prices settled just under the important psychological barrier at $1,495.10, as gold miners NovaGold Resources Inc. (AMEX:NG), Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO), Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK) and Tanzanian Royalty Exploration (AMEX:TRE) closed mixed on the day.

Gold prices settled just below $1,500 an ounce after hitting that level earlier Tuesday's session, helped by a weaker dollar.

The gold contract for June delivery rose $2.20 to settle at $1,495.10 an ounce, shy of its all-time and daily high of $1,500.50 an ounce. Spot gold prices dropped 50 cents, to close at $1,495.90 an ounce.

Silver prices for May delivery climbed almost a dollar to settle at $43.91.

Most of this is based upon the collapsing U.S. dollar, which pulled back again today, the tightening in China, sovereign debt crisis in Europe, unrest in the Middle East, inflation concerns and consequences of the Japanese earthquake.

Add to that the warning from rating agency S&P that the U.S. could have its debt downgraded if it doesn't deal with the growing debt crisis and you have a weak macroeconomic outlook favoring gold and other commodities.

NovaGold Resources Inc. closed Tuesday at $13.18, gaining $0.07, or 0.53 percent. Eldorado Gold Corporation ended the session at $17.97, up $0.21, or 1.18 percent. Aurizon Mines closed at $6.63, falling $0.07, or 1.04 percent. Tanzanian Royalty Exploration closed the day at $6.30, down $0.04, or 0.63 percent.

US Gold (UXG) (AZK) (TRE) (AEM) Close Mixed Even as Gold Prices Soar to Record High Again

While gold prices reached new all-time highs on Monday, that wasn't the direction for most gold companies, such as Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), US Gold (AMEX:UXG), Agnico-Eagle (NYSE:AEM) and Tanzanian Royalty Exploration (AMEX:TRE), which closed mixed on the day.

Spot gold jumped as high as $1,497.20 an ounce Monday after Standard & Poor’s downgraded its credit outlook for the United States, revealing the risks associated with its own sovereign debt crisis.

U.S. gold futures for June delivery settled up $6.90 an ounce at $1,492.90.

The sovereign debt crisis in Europe continues to boost gold as well, as the euro and U.S. dollar continue to face pressures on out-of-control government spending and refusal to make meaningful spending cuts.

Global inflation and unrest in the Middle East also continue to be major factors in the gold price equation.

As to why most gold miners have been pulling back, a lot of that is based on the fact the majority of the miners are based in Canada, and so the weaker U.S. dollar as it relates to the Canadian dollar is a major factor a lot of investors in gold companies don't take into account.

Agnico-Eagle closed Monday at $63.60, dropping $1.64, or 2.51 percent. US Gold closed at $9.15, falling $0.26, or 2.76 percent. Tanzanian Royalty Exploration ended the day at $6.34, gaining $0.02, or 0.32 percent. Aurizon Mines closed at $6.70, losing $0.08, or 1.18 percent.

IAMGOLD (IAG) (NEM) (AZK) (GSS) Trade Mixed as Gold Climbs Toward $1,500

On Friday gold prices soared toward the $1,500 an ounce mark, trading as high as $1,488 an ounce in afternoon action until closing at $1,486.50 an ounce. Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM), IAMGOLD Corporation (NYSE:IAG), Golden Star Resources (AMEX:GSS) and Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK) traded mixed as many gold miners pulled back after pushing up last week.

Inflation continues to be a major factor in gold price movement, as food and fuel prices in the U.S. continue to soar and consumer prices in China jump.

The ongoing weakness in the U.S. dollar, sovereign debt crisis in Europe and the unrest in the Middle East makes gold an attractive safe haven alternative for capital.

Newmont Mining closed Friday at $57.75, gaining $0.22, or 0.38 percent. IAMGOLD Corporation closed at $20.07, falling $1.85, or 8.44 percent. Golden Star Resources closed at $3.02, dropping $0.01, or 0.33 percent. Aurizon Mines ended the session at $6.78, down $0.11, or 1.60 percent.

Aurizon (AZK) (TRE) (NCMGY) (AUY) Close Mixed as Gold, Silver Rise Again

Shares of most gold miners were up as gold rose again Thursday, with Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK), Tanzanian Royalty Exploration (AMEX:TRE),
Newcrest Mining (OTC:NCMGY.PK) and Yamana Gold (NYSE:AUY) trading mixed.

Gold for June delivery rose $16.80 to settle at $1,472.40 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. Silver climbed $1.427, or 3.6 percent, to $41.664 an ounce.

Spot gold was up 1.4 percent to $1,474.30 an ounce, closing in on its record $1,476.21 set on Monday.

The collapsing U.S. dollar, tightening in China, sovereign debt crisis in Europe, unrest in the Middle East, increasing inflation and consequences of the Japanese earthquake are just some of the negative catalysts affecting the price movements.

The U.S. dollar was close to session lows, resulting in a further impetus to gold. The U.S. currency traded as low as 74.617, its lowest level since December 2009.

In base metals trading, May copper dropped 1.05 cents to settle at $4.284 a pound, July platinum increased $18.40 to $1,795.60 an ounce and June palladium was up $8.95 to $774.25 an ounce. May copper fell 1.05 cents to settle at $4.284 a pound

Newcrest Mining closed Thursday at $43.28, gaining $0.14, or 0.32 percent. Yamana Gold closed at $12.75, rising $0.27, or 2.16 percent. Tanzanian Royalty Exploration ended the session at $6.21, up $0.08, or 1.27 percent. Aurizon Mines closed at $6.89, rising $0.10, or 1.47 percent.