Gold futures rose for a second straight day on demand for a store of value as the recession widens. Silver also advanced. Gold futures rose for a second straight day on demand for a store of value as the recession widens. Silver also advanced. First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose last week, holding above 600,000 for a sixth straight time. In the fourth quarter, Japan’s economy contracted at the fastest pace since 1974 as exports, output and business spending collapsed. Since the second quarter of 2007, banks worldwide have posted more than $1.2 trillion in credit losses and writedowns.

Source