GOING FOR GOLD: Prices for gold and silver rose on Wednesday, including a 3 percent jump in silver, as stocks fell.

IT'S THE ECONOMY: The government said the economy shrank slightly in the fourth quarter and the Fed said it would continue buying bonds to help stimulate borrowing and the economy.

ALL THAT GLITTERS: A plodding economy can be good for gold. As the Fed continues to keep money cheap some investors will buy gold to try to protect themselves from possible inflation.