Gold settles close to 1,900-dollar mark

 　　CHICAGO, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures¹ on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange surged to record level on Monday, the sixth straight rise in a row, amid increasing safe- haven² demands as investors³ feared global economy would further worsen.

　　The most active gold contract for December delivery added 39.7 U.S. dollars, or 2.1 percent, to 1,891.9 dollars per ounce.

　　Market analysts⁴ said investors' concerns about the validity and efficacy of the U.S. debt deal, uncertainty⁵ about further deficit⁶ reduction suggestions as well as the worsening of the European debt crisis all helped push gold even higher.

　　The Federal Reserve would hold its annual symposium⁷ this week to discuss the economic outlook, amid speculation⁸ that it may signal a third round of asset purchases to boost the faltering⁹ recovery.

　　Aside from economic factors, the growing geopolitical tensions also added to the bullish sentiment, as Libya rebels have controlled parts of the capital Tripoli, pushing the Gaddafi regime to the edge.

　　As a result, investors rushed to gold market for safety investment. The gold holding of world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, increased four metric tons to 1,290 metric tons on Friday, which is closer to the record of 1, 320 metric tons.

　　Gold price has hiked for six sessions and has settled at a record for five of the past six trading days. On Monday, it closed a bit below the 1,900-dollar mark and most analysts believed that this mark would be broken "sooner or later."

　　Silver for September delivery gained 89.3 cents, or 2.1 percent, to 43.325 dollars per ounce. Platinum¹⁰ for October delivery rose 30. 8 dollars, or 1.6 percent, to 1905.7 dollars per ounce.

1 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。

2 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

3 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

4 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

5 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

6 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

7 symposium   

n.讨论会，专题报告会；专题论文集

参考例句：

• What have you learned from the symposium?你参加了这次科学讨论会有什么体会？
• The specialists and scholars present at the symposium come from all corners of the country.出席研讨会的专家学者们来自全国各地。

8 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

9 faltering   

犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的

参考例句：

• The economy shows no signs of faltering. 经济没有衰退的迹象。
• I canfeel my legs faltering. 我感到我的腿在颤抖。

10 platinum   

n.白金

参考例句：

• I'll give her a platinum ring.我打算送给她一枚白金戒指。
• Platinum exceeds gold in value.白金的价值高于黄金。