By Jim Wyckoff of Kitco News

Thursday June 23, 2016 21:35

(Kitco News) - Gold prices are sharply higher in evening U.S. trading Thursday, as early counting of the referendum on the United Kingdom leaving or staying in the European Union shows the leave camp in a surprisingly strong showing and in the early lead.

The vast majority of market watchers had reckoned the U.K. voters would opt to stay in the European Union. Keep in mind the vote counting is still in the early stages and an official result won't occur for several more hours. The British pound is being pounded lower on the early Brexit vote count, while the Euro currency is sharply lower and the U.S. dollar index is sharply higher. U.S. Treasury bond and note futures prices are sharply higher, as safe-haven investor and trader moves are in play. August gold was last up $22 an ounce at $1,285.00.

Source:Kitco