Prices For Precious Metals And US Stocks Fell

• 12.02.2026, 22:18

Against the backdrop of economic data.

At trading on Thursday, February 12, the cost of April gold futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) fell by 3.9% and reached $4900 per ounce at the minimum at 19:29 Minsk time. As of 20:20 Minsk, the decline slowed to 2.11%, gold traded at $4991.4.

Silver futures for delivery in March fell by 10.8% and reached $74.865 per ounce at a low of $74.865 per ounce at 19:49 Minsk. As of 20:20 Minsk, the decline slowed to 8.07%, at which time the securities were trading at $77.155.

The weekly statistics on initial applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. was released earlier. According to the data, for the week ended February 7, the number of initial applications for unemployment benefits amounted to 227 thousand. The indicator decreased from the previous value of 232 thousand and exceeded the consensus forecast of 222 thousand. Oxford Economics noted that the report does not indicate a deterioration in the labor market. A stronger market reduces the likelihood of a Fed rate cut.

On this background, the U.S. stock market was also in the minus. The Financial Times notes that investors on Thursday got rid of riskier assets in favor of "safe havens" such as Treasury bonds.

"The fall in the stock market has triggered the liquidation of gold positions to raise cash," said James Steele, chief precious metals analyst at HSBC.