They do so by figuring out for all their candidates an "equity risk premium"--the amount of return (appreciation plus dividends) they want over safe ten-year Treasury bonds, based on their best guess.

FORBES: Growth at a Price

Silver, meanwhile, is likely to stay range-bound as it is does not have the safe-haven allure gold does, plus it could find additional weight from a slowing global economy which would limit the industrial use of the metal.

FORBES: Gold Prices Could Rally Next Week If Dollar Gains Fizzle

Influences contributing to the decline include soft Chinese economic data overnight, worries that any selling of Cypriot gold to help fund a bailout will create a domino effect in which other debt-plagued European nations have to sell as well, plus a strong U.S. stock market so far this year that has taken away safe-haven demand for gold.

FORBES: FOCUS: Gold's Tumble Continues; Bargain Hunting Seen Once Prices Stabilize