Gold closed EVERY comex session (1:30pm ET) at 1575 since March 1st, 5 days in a row.

[swissaustrian]

The COMEX session for Gold lasts from 8am ET to 1:30pm ET. Since March 1st, it has closed at or very close to 1575 EVERY TIME. The closing quotes at 1:30pm ET have been within a range +/- $1 for 5 days in a row. We're on track to get another close at this price. Gold is trading at 1575.4 right now. There has been quite a lot of volatility before and after the COMEX close over the same period, though. That makes it seem so weird. I can smell manipulation, but I don't know why 1575 is so important to somebody that he is willing to manipulate prices to this level every day. The only explanation I can come up with is that somebody has a derivative arrangement outstanding that is making him money if the COMEX closing price is very close to 1575. It could be an options underwriter for short term (intraday) options who is selling options with a strike at 1575.

Here is the data:
Can you believe it:

Gold COMEX closes (1:30pm ET) in March 2013

1st 1574

4th 1574

5th 1574.9

6th 1574.9

7th 1575.9

8th 1574.9 ????

Charts ("NY close" means close of the GLOBEX afterhours session at 5:15 pm ET, not the COMEX session at 1:30 pm ET):

http://www.kitco.com/hist_charts/gold/24_hours/2013/au03042013.gif

http://www.kitco.com/hist_charts/gold/24_hours/2013/au03072013.gif

[oyarde]

Looks like it could be a bit better Mon. ?

[swissaustrian]

It probably depends on the direction of the dollar. Pm prices have already turned in EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF etc.