Gold, and to some extent silver, were hit today in a fairly obvious and expected bear raid.

Silver managed to hold its positive close and gold recovered most of the day's decline. 

The US Dollar did not cooperate and was lower, so making the price declines stick were a bit difficult.

Stocks were down sharply during the day but managed to take back most of their losses into the close.

There will be a stock option expiration on Friday.

The 850-year-old Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris was devastated by fire today. The queen and I visited it some years ago. It is sad to see such an iconic and majestic example of religious art and architecture destroyed.

I picked the quote for this posting yesterday afternoon. I left it since it seems fitting. 

Have a pleasant evening.

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Click on image to enlarge)