The gold market started out on a weak footing and the pressure clearly escalated in the face of more strength in the Dollar and a sharp slide in oil prices. Clearly seeing the Dollar rise aggressively against a host of other currencies further tamps down the flight to quality anxiety that has consistently been present in the marketplace. Furthermore, seeing the lowest crude oil price since early May probably served to tamp down the flight to quality safe haven appeal of the gold market. With the stock market showing signs of strength and the gold market approaching the lowest price levels of the year, one probably has to assume that a number of spec longs were being forced out because of technical and fundamental considerations. Some players suggest that gold could remain under pressure, until the outlook for the economy improves enough to rekindle inflationary fears.