The year is near its end and it’s clear that gold and silver, for the third year in a row, didn’t have a good year. Prices of both precious metals dropped by 9% and 8%, respectively. And while bullion prices did kick off the year on a positive note – at one point gold reached $1,300 and silver $18 – they have had a slow downward trend mostly during the last few months of the year, as indicated in the following chart.In 2016, the focus will revolve around three issues that are relevant to precious metals: The direction long term interest rates: On the balance are the expected Fed hikes that should push up rates. On ... (full story)