Where are we now? Still in the Twilight Zone economy as far as we’re concerned. US stocks ended strongly on Friday. And they’re set to rise again today if Europe’s strong morning performance is anything to go by. Commodities are up too. Nymex crude oil futures are at $74.24 a barrel at writing. Gold is trading at $953.50 an ounce – not far off Friday’s one-week high.

European shares gain for third consecutive session… Euro up against dollar, yen as risk aversion ebbs …  SPDR Gold Trust ETF, iShares silver ETF at record

Gold held below $900 an ounce on Tuesday, giving up some of the previous sessions’ gains, as easing risk aversion dampened interest in the precious metal. Spot gold was quoted at $898.65/900.25 an ounce at 1403 GMT, against $902.65 in New York late on Monday. Earlier it slipped to a low of $891.60 an ounce.

U.S. data sparks flight to dollar…  Oil slips, traders fret over demand outlook…  Traders await ECB rate decision on Thursday.

Dollar firms a touch versus the euro, pressuring gold… Key U.S. jobs data shows payrolls down 524,000 in Dec…  Investec cuts 2009 platinum forecast by 28 percent.

Dollar touches fresh 3-week high versus the euro…  ETF Securities reports 2 pct rise in gold ETF holdings… Platinum, palladium rise to multi-week highs…

An article in the Wall Street Journal caught my eye, leading me to wonder if green investors may be crying the blues in 2009 and beyond.

The currency markets reaction to the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts has ignited a rally in gold, as investors weigh the benefits of owning the yellow metal versus U.S. Treasuries and the dollar.

Mid-East Violence Drives Crude Higher; IndyMac to be Sold by Year’s end; Retailers in for Tough Start to 2009; Six-month Treasury Rate Hits Record Low; Commercial Banks Report $6 Billion in 3Q Revenue

It was a mixed day for the precious metals as gold rose, but silver and platinum were both down slightly. Gold traded up during the pre-dawn hours before reaching an intraday high $851.22/oz. during the NYMEX session. While prices trended downward throughout afternoon trading gold still posted a gain of $9.90 to finish at $847.80/oz.