Gold prices are not shining

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Despite analysts’ optimistic forecasts for the end of the year, gold futures finished at their lowest level in more than two weeks on Monday.

December Comex gold was last down $3.20 an ounce at $1,313.80. December Comex silver was last down $0.349 at $18.865 an ounce.

The British pound took a hit from news that the U.K. aimed for a clear break from the European Union, while rumours about the Deutsche Bank negotiating a reduced settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice took buying interest away from the safe-haven metal.

Data on U.S. manufacturing also weighed on prices for gold. According to the The Institute for Supply Management, the U.S. manufacturing index rose to 51.5% last month after its August plunge. Thus, the dollar gained on these stronger-than-expected results, while investors are trying to figure out, by looking at jobs stats later this week, whether U.S. interest rates will rise by the year end.