/ 20 June 1997

Gold index hits four-year low

FRIDAY, 10.30AM

The all gold index on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange was hammered down to a four-year low on Thursday as the gold price tumbled in New York on Wednesday to below the key $240/oz level, and closed in London at $339,75. On Thursday it recovered slightly in New York to close at $340,65.

The bullion price pushed the gold index down on Thursday by 35 points (3,2%) to 1 061, its lowest level since March 1993. Recent bearish predictions predict bullion will still fall below the $336,10 four-year low reached on February 12.