Gold and silver prices are higher near midday Wednesday, as safe-haven bidding has returned amid a major war playing out in the Middle East, with its final outcome still very much uncertain. Prices have moved down from their daily highs, however, on some profit taking from the shorter-term futures traders. April gold was last up $37.00 at $5,160.00. March silver prices were up $0.607 at $83.485. The key outside markets today see the U.S. dollar index weaker, with Nymex crude oil prices near steady and trading around $74.25 a barrel. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note is presently 4.1 percent. ... (full story)