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Dollar Nudges Up; Gold Drifts Lower

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Associated Press

The dollar nudged broadly higher Wednesday, building on Tuesday’s explosive rally, as a result of speculation that the recent decline in U.S. interest rates may be over.

In its advance over the past two days, the dollar has shot up more than 5 1/2 cents against the British pound.

Gold prices drifted lower in listless trading. Republic National Bank of New York said gold bullion was bid at $322.75 an ounce, down 5 cents from Tuesday.

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Although the dollar wound up the day just slightly above Tuesday’s late levels, analysts said the performance was significant. In Tuesday’s advance, the dollar recorded its biggest one-day surge in more than 3 1/2 years.

“One thing that’s important is that the dollar is maintaining its strength,” said Audrey McNiff, a currency trader at Irving Trust in New York. “In looking at factors determining which way the dollar is going, this is an important factor.”

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