2014.03.1205:50:02UTC+00Gold escalates further; copper steadies

Gold future prices found additional back-up from upheaval in Ukraine on Wednesday and were geared towards its third consecutive days of profit. Copper took a breather from all the latest selling to drift in break-even territory.

Gold to be delivered in April increased $11.70 or 0.9%, to $1,358.40 per ounce in electronic trade; May silver gained 36 cents or 1.7%, to $21.17. A day before, it marked its second straight advance as concerns about Russia's standoff in Ukraine and worries of a slow down in China pushed buyers to the noticed safety of the precious metal.

In metals trading, April platinum added $9.10 or 0.6%, to $1,473.70 per ounce, while June palladium accrued a dime to $770.60. Copper has been concentrating this week because of its profound performance of late. The commodity is thus far the worst performer among all precious and base metals, with a decrease of around 10% this year.

However, Barclays postulated the worst is probably over or at least next to it. High-grade copper to be delivered in May delivery stayed flat at $2.95 per pound.