Prices on precious metals decline

The price of gold fell on Thursday after two sessions of gains, with April contracts on the New York mercantile exchange $2.20 lower just before midday to trade at $669.80 per troy ounce. Silver and platinum were both lower as well, with March silver down 11 cents to $13.855 per troy ounce and April platinum falling $9.10 to $1,208 per troy ounce. The price of palladium also declined, going $3.35 lower to $342.50 per troy ounce. In base metals, however, March copper added 2.4 percent to $2.638 per pound.