[Editor’s Note: If you’re new to the commodities-investing arena, and are uncertain about the landscape – or even if you’re an “old hand” at natural-resource stocks, but want some insights into the new profit plays and new players – consider hiring a guide: Money Morning Contributing Editor Peter Krauth, a recognized expert in metals, mining and energy stocks, is also the editor of the Global Resource Alert trading service, which ferrets out companies poised to profit from the so-called “Secular Bull Market” in commodities. A former portfolio advisor, Krauth continues to work out of resource-rich Canada, which keeps him close to most of the companies he researches. Against the growing global financial malaise, Krauth says that commodities are among the most-profitable and least-risky investments available, and notes that this may well be the most powerful bull market for commodities we’ll see in our …

Gold fell in Europe on Wednesday and platinum dropped below $1,100 an ounce for the first time since May 18 as the dollar firmed against the euro, making precious metals more expensive for holders of other currencies.

Hard commodities weakened across the board, hit by global economic concerns and worries a potential clampdown on speculation in U.S. energy and commodity trading could hurt buying of the asset class.

Spot gold slipped to a low of $915.20 an ounce and was bid at $918.00 an ounce at 1414 GMT, against $923.30 an ounce late in New York on Tuesday. Meanwhile platinum was at $1,109 an ounce from $1,132, having touched a low of $1,099.

The dollar climbed broadly as growing risk aversion prompted buying of the precious metal as a safe store of value. The U.S. unit, weakness in which boosts gold’s appeal as a currency hedge, is currently the metal’s chief driver.

“In the last few

Gold was initially lower in Hong Kong but traded flat through to the New York open on Tuesday, at which point it plunged about $13 in a half-hour, before riding a gently rising uptrend for the rest of the day, to finish at $893.30/oz., down $12.90. Overnight, gold is slightly higher.

Platinum fared very poorly again, falling from the overseas markets through the first hour in New York, to as low as $1070 before catching a slight updraught, then trading sideways for the rest of the day, and ending at $1091, down $49. Overnight, platinum has been flat.

Silver also traded sideways through Hong Kong after an early plunge, then got taken down through London to late in the New York morning, when it finally perked up to the tune of only about 10 cents, and was flat to a close at $12.49/oz., down 41 cents. Overnight, silver is little

Gold was flat until just before the New York open on Thursday, popped about $10 from there, but then gave it back before trading rangebound for the rest of the day, finishing at $934.20/oz., up 40 cents. Overnight, gold has fallen off.

Platinum prolonged its recent bust-out to the upside, pushing as high as $1160 early in New York, then declined through the Comex and went flat on the Globex, ending at $1142/oz., up $21. Overnight, platinum is trending lower.

Silver pushed higher from Hong Kong through to the noon hour but eased gently from there, closing at $13.52/oz., up a penny. Overnight, silver is sharply lower. (Click here for charts)

It was another very lackluster day for the precious metals, except for platinum, which is generating a good bit of buying interest and yesterday touched a six-month high.

“Some people may think that perhaps the car industry will start

Gold terms record highs in sterling terms, Indian futures… SPDR Gold (GLD) Trust sees near 5 percent inflow…

Gold climbed in Europe on Thursday, building on gains that took it to a 6-1/2 month high in the previous session, as risk aversion fuelled investor demand for bullion and gold-backed exchange traded funds.

Gold priced in sterling and gold futures in India hit an all-time high, adding to record peaks recorded for bullion on Wednesday in euro, Canadian dollar and Swiss franc terms.

Spot gold was quoted at $943.10/944.70 an ounce at 1015 GMT, up from $938.35 an ounce late in New York on Wednesday. The metal hit a peak of $953.30 that day, its highest since July 2008.

“Gold is still in a very bullish trend,” said Alexander Zumpfe, precious metals trader at Heraeus. “There is very strong investor demand, which you