GDX: Short term traders should watch for intra-day resistance around the $43.00, and $43.50 levels. Take note, the GDX is still trading below the important daily chart 50, and 200 moving averages, this technical position puts the important ETF in a weak technical position. All of the leading gold mining stocks are holding up very well on an intra-day basis. Most of the daily charts of the gold mining stocks are still very vulnerable to declines after this short term bounce concludes.    

This morning, the precious metals are all trading sharply higher. The catalyst for the rally in gold and silver is the European Union bailout plan. Traders should be aware that if this European Union bailout plan turns out to be a hoax the major stock indexes and the precious metals could decline again.

This morning, spot gold is declining lower by $21.00 to $1838 per ounce. Gold has been extremely volatile over the past month. Many traders and investors have been fleeing the precious metal due to rumors of another margin hike by the CME Group. So far, the CME Group has increased margins for gold on two separate occasions since August 10, 2011.