The following commentary comes from an independent investor or market observer as part of TheStreet’s guest contributor program, which is separate from the company’s news coverage.

NEW YORK (TheLFB-Forex.com) — As the price of gold has pulled back from its recent run up to $1,440 and silver continues its meteoric rise, investors are left to ponder what exactly drives the movement of such an important and financially sensitive commodity, and how bullion trade impacts the mid-term outlook for the U.S. dollar.

Most people are aware that gold prices respond to inflation expectations and that central banks, as the largest holders of gold, are big players in the market. But there is not always clarity in understanding as to why and how these players affect prices, and what their ultimate goal may be….

Originally from TheStreet