(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are lower near midday Thursday but gold is off its session low. Profit-taking from the shorter-term futures traders is seen in both metals, while weak long liquidation (futures traders that recently established long positions and then they quickly went under water) is seen in gold. Better risk appetite in the general marketplace today is also a negative for the safe-haven metals. August gold was last down $19.50 at $3,378.40. September silver prices were last down $0.218 at $39.285.
The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index a bit firmer. Nymex crude oil futures are higher and trading around $66.25 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note is presently 4.402%.

Technically, August gold futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Bulls’ next upside price objective is to produce a close above solid resistance at the June high of $3,476.30. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $3,300.00. First resistance is seen at $3,400.00 and then at $3,425.00. First support is seen at today’s low of $3,355.20 and then at $3,314.30. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 7.0.

September silver futures bulls have the solid overall near-term technical advantage. Prices are in an uptrend on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $40.00. The next downside price objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $36.00. First resistance is seen at $40.00 and then at $40.50. Next support is seen at this week’s low of $38.365 and then at $38.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 8.5.
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