That and the holidays have put the precious metals markets into consolidative trading modes.

FORBES: Comex Gold Weaker in Thin Holiday Trading

Price action so far Wednesday appears to be just consolidative, from a chart perspective.

FORBES: Comex Gold Weaker in Consolidative Trade, But Bulls Still in Technical Command

On an intermediate term multi-month basis, the gold market is trapped in a consolidative sideways neutral range.

FORBES: Technical Trading: Air Strikes, BOJ Easing Hopes Keep Short-Term Pattern Bullish For Gold

The market was pressured by lower crude oil prices and by some more consolidative-type trading action on the charts.

FORBES: P.M. Kitco Metals Roundup: Comex Gold Ends Weaker On Consolidation, Lower Crude Oil

Technically, June gold futures prices closed near mid-range in quieter, consolidative trading Wednesday.

FORBES: P.M. Kitco Metals Roundup:Comex Gold Ends Slightly Lower On Chart Consolidation; Bullish Outside Markets Limit Losses

During the week ending 16th September, the measure remained within a consolidative pattern, but with its downward trend still intact.

FORBES: Bear Or Bull? Last Week's Stock Uptrend Unlikely To Last

For now, consolidative action may be the more likely scenario short term as the market continues to digest action in recent months.

FORBES: Technical Trading: The Bleeding Has Stopped For Now In Gold

March silver futures prices closed near the session low in consolidative trading.

FORBES: Comex Gold Ends Weaker In More Quiet, Pre-Holiday Trading

Technically, December gold futures prices closed near the session low Tuesday on a technical, corrective and consolidative pullback from solid gains posted Monday.

FORBES: P.M. Kitco Metals Roundup: Gold Ends Lower on Chart Consolidation, Bearish Outside Markets

Some corrective, consolidative price action on the daily charts for the gold and silver markets is not surprising, nor is it unhealthy for their present near-term uptrends.

FORBES: Comex Gold Weaker On Corrective Pullback; Firmer U.S. Dollar Index