Good morning, Resource Investors.

Coming on the back of last week's profit taking in gold, concerns that the Federal Reserve may (albeit, slowly) start to shift away from unprecedented expansionary policies has tempered the market for gold this week. The yellow metal is solidly off its highs over $1,200 per oz. Nevertheless, long-term analysis by some suggests that central bank activity and continued macroeconomic stress will keep gold's appeal high.

In the energy markets, crude oil is starting to make another push back toward $80 per barrel, despite a stronger dollar. Expectations are that ample supplies will be drawn down by strengthening demand over the coming months and, shorter-term, decreasing inventories.

Copper has not been so resilient in the face of a rising greenback, however, or concerns that the Fed could potentially increase its interest rate target and further bolster the dollar. Other data suggest that manufacturing in New York State has fallen dramatically -- a sign that the sector has not recovered as much as some had thought.

For more on the reasons behind these moves, see these headlines, where you can catch up on what happened in the resource markets this past week -- and prepare for the next.

James Holter
Resource Investor