Gold prices are lower in midday trading Thursday, on profit-taking pressure from the shorter-term futures traders after hitting a four-week high early on. Silver prices are sharply up and hit a 13-year high. Risk appetite in the general marketplace is still shaky, which continues to produce safe-haven buying of gold and silver. August gold was last down $22.60 at $3,376.20. July silver prices were last up $1.112 at $35.75. Traders and investors are awaiting what is arguably the most important U.S. data point of the month: Friday morning's May employment situation report from the Labor Department. The key non-farm ... (full story)