Oil prices surged to a 2009 high Wednesday after a government report showed that unused crude being placed in storage slowed last week.

Gold producers have outperformed the yellow metal recently, but they still have plenty of catching up to do.

Gold futures hit their highest level in more than a week, with initial weakness in the dollar and inflation expectations helping to lift prices.

It has been investment that has been driving silver in 2009, and so, once again, silver's behaviour has been more like that of gold. How do these flows compare?

Analysis of options positions suggest that the smart money is placing its bets on higher gold and silver prices.

Crude oil was little changed near a five-month high as pending sales of U.S. existing homes jumped along with spending on construction projects.

Iron ore miner Territory Resources is to divest its 73 per cent holding in listed mineral sands miner Olympia Resources Ltd.

Adelaide Resources to go for gold in Australia's Northern Territory.

Silver futures outperformed gold Tuesday largely on chart-based considerations.