Steve I won't pretend to give Basser's reply since he has no doubt forgotten more than I know( about gold,LOL) however, here's my .02. Katrina gave the markets the perception that the fed would use this mess to stop hicking rates which many think is a primary ingredient needed for the next leg of money supply growth...inflation.... and as George has piled on with ever expanding amounts of largesse that too can be viewed as very gold friendly.