2014届高考英语考前突破阅读理解能力：《2013黄金投资形式极为严峻》.docVIP

2013黄金投资形式极为严峻 十一月为坚信黄金价值的投资者带来了新的不利消息：该月黄金价格下降6%，是6月以来单月下降最多的月份，使2013年度的黄金投资形式更为严峻，也结束了长达13年的黄金市场繁荣。黄金价格今年已经下跌了25%，是自2000年以来的首次。 ? November brought more bad news for believers in the eternal power of gold: the commodity（商品） saw its sharpest monthly price fall since June. This months 6% drop makes 2013 a terrible year for gold, and is set to mark the end of a 13-year boom. Gold is heading for its first annual fall since 2000 after shedding a quarter of its value this year. ? Things were so different in September 2011, when it hit a record price of $1,921 an ounce, a gain of more than 550% in just over a decade. Investors had piled in during the financial crisis: the price of gold traditionally rises when assets such as shares, bonds and cash are threatened. ? Gold maintained its allure as central banks pumped money into their economies, raising fears of runaway inflation. But then the easing of fears for the eurozone, and signs of economic recovery in the US and other economies, steadied nerves. ? There were few starker signs of the reversal of golds fortunes than the news that Britains second-biggest pawnbroker was melting down stock to raise money. Last week Albemarle Bond admitted it was smelting jewellery to sell for quick cash in order to stay within its lending limits. As recently as 2011 the company went on a gold-fuelled expansion spree and declared the age of the pawnbroker（当铺老板）. ? More famous players have also been caught out. The gold fund of John Paulson, the hedge fund manager who made billions betting against the US housing market, is down 63% this year. ? The key to the fall is the improving US economy and the response of the Federal Reserve. Golds troubles began when the Fed said it would ease off its bond purchase programme amid encouraging news on jobs and growth. ? With less need to keep money tied up in gold, which pays no interest or dividend, the markets turned risk-on: investors scrambled for new shares in Royal Mail and other flotations, an