Energy ETFs increased markedly on Tuesday, along with precious metal ETFs, on news of continuing unrest in Libya.
Crude oil prices for March were rising more than 5% to top $91 a barrel by mid-day Tuesday, as sweet crude for April was up 5%-plus to about $95 a barrel. Gold traded just below $1,400 an ounce.
For the week ending Feb. 18, spot gold closed at $1,385.53 per ounce, up $32.48 per ounce, or 2.39%, reports U.S. Global Investors. Gold equities, as measured by the Philadelphia Gold & Silver Index, improved 4.28%.
The SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) was up 0.7% on Tuesday , trading near $136.36, after rising about 2% in the past five days. The ETFS Physical Gold Shares (SGOL) ticked up 0.75% to trade at $139, with a five-day boost of roughly 2%.
The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) moved up 0.9% at about $32 for a five-day jump of 7%. The ETFS Physical Silver Shares ticked up about 1% to trade at $32.75; this represents a five-day gain of about 7%.
The iPath S&P GSCI Crude Oil Total Return Index ETN (OIL) rose 5.7% Tuesday to trade near $25.25, as the United States Oil Fund (USO) moved up similarly.