The day’s biggest mover was Chinese palladium bar, dropping 2.1 percent to settle at CNY 141.00 ($22.18) per gram on June 28, 2012. Japanese palladium bar prices saw a 1.7 percent decline to JPY 1,487 ($18) per gram. US palladium bar has been on the decline for eight days and is now at $571.00 per ounce.

Gold futures eased higher in slow U.S afternoon trade Monday, but were off the highest levels of the session amid ongoing concerns over political turmoil in Greece and growing fears over the fiscal health of Spain.

Gold futures traded higher Thursday, advancing nearly 2% prior to falling back, as the release of disappointing U.S. data triggered hopes for a third round of monetary easing by the Federal Reserve.

Gold stocks have been pummeled mercilessly this month, their price action looking almost apocalyptic.