Gold: an overview of the market situation

Gold prices fell today , heading for its biggest annual decline in more than three decades , due to the thin trading session ahead of the holidays . Add that with the beginning of this year, prices for the precious metal fell almost 30 percent , as rising risk appetite and the prospect of global economic recovery have tarnished its appeal. Gold is generally seen as a hedge against inflation, which has ceased to be the center of attention for investors at the moment.

Experts point out that at present , the movement of gold prices is exaggerated because of the lack of liquidity, and not some macroeconomic factors.

Fall in gold prices in 2013 put an end to the 12-year growth. Gold, primarily affected by the U.S. central bank's decision to curb its monetary stimulus that raises the opportunity cost of not higher-yielding assets .

Expectations that the U.S. economy will improve, and the growth in the rest of the world will stabilize in 2014 , further reduce the appeal of gold, and investors began to invest their money in riskier assets such as stocks .

In addition, it became known that the gold reserves SPDR Gold Trust - the world's largest gold exchange-traded fund , fell by three tonnes on Friday - up to 801.2 thousand , while reaching the lowest level since January 2009 .

The data also showed that China's net imports of gold from Hong Kong fell by 42 percent - up to 76.393 tons in November to 131.19 tons in October, reflecting a drop in demand after strong purchases in previous months.

Cost February gold futures on the COMEX today dropped to $ 1206.00 per ounce.