July 12, 2016 --Gold and silver markets took a breather on Monday with prices finishing largely unchanged during U.S. trading. But stock prices, including precious metals stocks, rose, along with the U.S. dollar. The gains were large enough to propel the S&P 500 to a record high close.

Investors also sold a few bonds, allowing yields on 10-year and 30-year Treasuries to inch a bit above their all-time lows.

Unrest surrounding two police shootings and the subsequent revenge killing of 5 Dallas police officers taken some of the attention away from news in the financial markets.

But Japan's central bank has just announced plans for an additional $100 billion in stimulus.

The Bank of Japan has been working furiously to devalue the Yen. Their theory is that rising prices will somehow translate to economic growth. But the Japanese economy continues to be sluggish -- despite nearly two decades of extraordinary stimulus programs. This failure is helping call into question the credibility of central planners.

Live prices at MoneyMetals.com show gold currently trading at $1,347.20 per ounce on the global market, and silver is coming in at $20.40.