Gold prices dropped after equities rallied on expectations the U.S. Congress will pass a stimulus package to revive the economy. Silver gained for the third day in a row. U.S. stock-index futures advanced on speculation a government report showing the highest unemployment rate since 1992 will force lawmakers to pass a $900 billion rescue plan. UBS AG and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised gold-price forecasts this week on speculation that investors will seek a store of value in precious metals as the economy deteriorates. “Some money is being pulled toward the equity markets,” said Tom Pawlicki, an analyst at MF Global Ltd. in Chicago. “There’s a bit of risk appetite taking place, and that’s negative for gold.” Gold futures for April delivery fell $2.20, or 0.2 percent, to $912 an ounce at 9:36 a.m. on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The price is down 1.8 percent this week after jumping 11 percent in the previous two weeks. Silver futures for March delivery climbed 11 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $12.86 an ounce. The metal gained 3.7 percent in the previous day days. Before today, silver gained 13 percent this year, while gold rose 3.4 percent.

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