Gold and silver mining companies were falling Thursday - despite strength in the prices of both gold and silver and the broader stock market posting gains.

Gold for December delivery on the Comex was up in midday trading by 30 cents to $1,653.50. In fact, gold was headed for its biggest weekly gain in a month.

Silver for December delivery added six cents to $32.06.

However, shares of companies that mine gold and silver were lower.

Kinross Gold Corp. was off 2.76 percent, Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. fell 2.69 percent and New Gold Inc. retreated 2.55 percent.

Silver Standard Resources Inc. dropped 3.45 percent, Hecla Mining Co. gave up 4.04 percent and Silver Wheaton Corp. lost 2.63 percent.

The broader market, meanwhile, was rising. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.47 percent.

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