Metals Going Mental Before The Election

Most metals are advancing ahead of the U.S. presidential election irrespective of their risk disposition. However, the trend in recent sessions is reminiscent of a see-saw amid conflicting signals concerning the election results.

On October 28, the markets were jolted by the FBI re-opening investigations into Hillary Clinton e-mail scandal after e-mails sent from the Democratic candidate were found in the computer of one of Clinton aide Huma Abedin's estranged husband. However, Clinton's name was cleared yet again last Sunday and promptly markets headed higher on the catalyst.

Gold Begins To Glitter After Monday's Loss Of Luster

Safe haven gold is advancing, with the most actively traded December futures gaining $3.40 currently to $1,282.80 a troy ounce. The yellow metal typically outperforms when risk aversion rules the roost and is also inversely correlated with the dollar, given that it is denominated in the dollar.

However, Tuesday's gain has come after a 1.95 percent slump on Monday, the biggest single-day percentage drop in five weeks, as prospects of a Clinton-victory brightened following the FBI clearing her in the e-mail scandal. Despite Monday's setback, gold has been on a roll in recent weeks, thanks to its safe haven appeal, and has recorded gains for the fourth straight week in the week ended November 4.

All That Glitters Is Not Gold ... Silver, Platinum And Palladium Shine, Too

Among the other precious metals, silver, platinum and palladium futures are all higher. December silver is up $0.194 at $18.345 an ounce after slipping 1.2 percent on Monday, which however came after a 3.2 percent gain in the week ended November 4. After a $3.10 retreat on Monday, platinum futures for January delivery are tacking on $9.40 to $1,010.80 an ounce.

Palladium futures, which bucked the downtrend on Monday by rallying $31.60 to $656.40 an ounce, are gaining $4 to $660.40 an ounce.

China Boost For Copper

Among base metals, copper futures for December delivery are adding $0.0295 to $2.3390 a pound. Copper has been having an extended pre-election run up, having gained 2 percent on Monday to $2.3095, marking the eleventh straight session of gain. Copper is riding the China momentum, as the commodity-hungry country is showing signs of renewed vigor amid policy actions.

Oil Plagued By OPEC's Resolve

At the same time, oil is bleeding, with a barrel of oil currently fetching $44.48, down $0.41 from the previous session's close of $44.89 a barrel. On Monday, the black gold added $0.82 to $44.89 a barrel, as the Clinton news, OPEC's reiteration of its resolve to implement production cuts and an earthquake that hit the Cushing, Oklahoma, storage hub proved bullish for oil.

A Look At How Metal Stocks/ETFs Fared Amid Metals' Gyrations

• Avino Silver and Gold Mines Ltd ASM is currently up 0.86 percent at $2.34 after soaring roughly 20 percent since the re-opening of the Clinton e-mail case. Gold's rally on its safe haven status has buoyed the stock.
• Direxion Shares Exchange Traded Fund Trust DUST is down 2.73 percent at $38.42.
• Direxion Shares Exchange Traded Fund Trust NUGT is soaring 3.02 percent to 13.63. (up 2.24 percent since October 28).
• ETFS Physical Palladium Shares PALL is up 2.04 percent on the day, trading at $64. Shares are flat for the last 30 days and up 18 percent year-to-date.
• iPath Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return Sub-Index JJC is up 2.65 percent on the day and 10 percent year-to-date.
• iShares Silver Trust (ETF) SLV is up 1.04 percent to 17.47 compared to the 16.87 it traded on October 28.
• Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF GDX is gaining 0.91 percent to 24.30, adding onto the 1.13 percent gain since October 28.
• ProShares Ultra Silver (ETF) AGQ is up 4.7 percent on the day, trading at $44.99. It is up over 66 percent year-to-date and 13 percent over the last month.
• SPDR Gold Trust (ETF) GLD is up a modest 0.15 percent at 122.34. On October 28, the fund ended at 121.58.