Gold prices are moderatelyup in early-afternoon trading Tuesday and scored another seven-month high.Gold and silver markets are being boosted by safe-haven demand and chart-basedbuying interest. There are several elements at work this week which are causinganxiety among traders and investors. February goldfutures were last up $5.10 an ounce at $1,308.20. March Comexsilver hit a three-week high and was last up $0.08 at $15.845 anounce.

The news elements at work early thisweek, which are making traders and investors a bit nervous, include:

Lower U.S. stock markets this week.Worries about world economic growth—especially from China—and some weak U.S.corporate earnings reports recently are once again spooking world stockmarkets.

The U.S.-China trade warthat has been playing out for months finds high-level officials from bothcountries meeting in Washington, D.C, on Wednesday and Thursday. There is noconsensus on any progress that may or may not be made at this week’s talks, butstock and financial market traders are this week leaning to the negative sideof any successful outcome. The U.S. government this week has filed new chargesagainst the high-tech company from China, Huawei. Comments from U.S. andChinese officials have been all over the map recently.

The political situation in Venezuelais still very fluid at present, with the potential for civil violence. The U.S.on Monday slapped economic sanctions on the country, which is a major oilproducer.