Headlines from March 28-April 1:

  • Gold lowers following as-expected U.S. jobs data (Kitco)

Gold prices are lower in early U.S. trading Friday and saw some added selling pressure from overnight losses in reaction to the just-released U.S. employment report that was in line with market expectations. The U.S. employment report for March is arguably the most important economic report of the month.

A stronger than expected March U.S. employment report sent the dollar higher against most of its developed and emerging-market rivals this week. Investors cheered the jobs data, saying it shows the U.S. economy has remained resilient even as growth slows abroad. However, the jobs report also indicated an increase in unemployment from 4.9% to 5%, due to a rise in participation. The numbers show that the U.S. inflation is on track and continuing to rise.

  • Precious metals funds emerge as a powerful leveraged gold play (Investment News)

As a broad category, equity precious-metals funds have lapped the field since the start of the year, cranking out an average gain of more than 36%, according to Morningstar. The category performance more than doubled the 15% gain by the next best category, commodities precious metals, which includes just one fund. As should be expected, there is a bit of performance dispersion among the funds populating the equity precious-metals category.

  • Zinc plants expansion and precious metal stockpile sales update (PR Newswire)

The Zinc Expansion Project enables processing of the primary copper-zinc-gold-silver ore at up to 2.4 million tonnes per year, producing both copper and zinc concentrates from the existing copper flotation and new zinc flotation plants. Current reserve life with the completed Zinc Expansion Project is to 2025. The forecasted total cost remains approximately $80 million, significantly under the original budget of $100M.