SHANGHAI, Apr. 24 (SMM) -- COMEX gold futures for delivery in June opened at USD 1,642.5/oz and closed at USD 1,632.6/oz on April 23, down USD 10.2/oz or 0.62% from the previous trading day, but USD 3.6/oz higher than London’s USD 1,629/oz in the afternoon. Highest and lowest prices during the day were USD 1,643.8/oz and USD 1,625.7/oz.

COMEX silver futures for July delivery opened at USD 31.7/oz and closed at USD 30.6/oz, down USD 1.12/oz or 3.53% from the previous trading day, and USD 0.56/oz lower than London’s USD 31.16/oz for the day. Highest and lowest prices during the day were USD 31.7/oz and USD 30.6/oz.

Investors moved to the safer dollar on Monday as the euro zone service PMI dropped to 47.9, a five month low, and with its manufacturing staying sluggish to add worries towards the region’s debt crisis. Waning expectations of monetary easing in the US has also curbed demand of gold as an alternative haven asset. SMM expects gold and silver to stay on the downward trajectory as investors focus on the Fed interest rate meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday.