Except for gold and oil, commodities finish down in 2011

Most commodities, except for the heavyweights gold and oil, are poised for a down year in 2011, the first fall for this sector since the financial crisis hit in 2008.

Gold looked like it was set for a spectacular year after topping $1,900/oz in the fall, but the precious metal finished up just 13%.

It started the year at $1,400/oz and is currently trading around $1,570/oz.

Gold charts on InfoMine.com

Silver didn’t fare as well, which was down 3.46% for the year from $30.91/oz to $28.21/oz.

Silver charts on InfoMine.com

Platinum was also down 18.86% and palladium was off 13.45%.

Platinum charts on InfoMine.com

Reflecting concerns about a slowing China and a possible world slowdown, copper prices were hit hard, starting the year at $4.42/lb but ending up at $3.40/lb, a 20% decline.

Copper charts on InfoMine.com

Oil was up 9.13% a barrel from $89 to just under $100, reflecting the uncertainty in the world markets due to Middle East tensions.

The commodity heavy TSX was off 11% for year. Barrick Gold was down 15.05% to $45.06 a share.

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