newcrest hammered , page-77

The trading environment remained thin and bereft of much energy as the abbreviated market week reopened for business in New York this morning. Overnight, gold breached the pivotal $1,600 mark once again and fell to lows near $1,590 despite a slightly weaker US dollar and despite a hefty advance in copper and a mild rise in crude oil values. Options expiry and year-end profit-booking elicited light but steady selling from market participants and the pressure was manifest in all but platinum prices this morning. Kitco

Weak volumes are going to exagerate moves either way till the new year.