Gold bullion prices and gold and silver equities have risen for the last three consecutive years.

March silver futures in the U.S. neared 30-year highs on Wednesday, and March palladium futures hit a 9-year high, while copper and gold also continued to record levels seen Tuesday.

Futures contracts held by speculators were up 12 percent in 2010 through October, with sharp increases in bullish bets on crude oil, copper and silver.