Time tested economic theory tells us that in a free, unfettered market not constrained by onerous barriers to entry, the long term price of a commodity will approach its marginal cost of production.
On the other hand, for those investors that do not have an allocation to precious metals in their portfolios at present, this pullback, once complete, may present an attractive entry point for a longer term investment timeframe.
But the NUS is concerned there is a long-term drift towards placing entry charges on students - following the precedent set by tuition fees - and has supported an early-day motion in the House of Commons declaring opposition to top-up fees, signed by 38 MPs.