Gold prices are trading near steady and silver prices are higher in midday U.S. trading Thursday. Both metals moved to their daily highs around midday after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said in a speech and question-and-answer session that the U.S. economy should rebound strongly in the coming months, including a possible significant rise in price inflation. A lower U.S. dollar index at midday is also working in favor of the precious metals market bulls. February gold futures were last down $1.10 at $1,853.70 and March Comex silver was last up $0.293 at $25.87 an ounce. Powell’s speech at Princeton ... (full story)