Gold and silver futures prices are trading weaker in early U.S. action Friday, on routine downside corrections after recent good gains that pushed prices to two-month highs this week. The bulls remain in firm near-term technical control. February gold futures were last down $4.70 at $1,837.90 and March Comex silver was last down $0.226 at $24.485 an ounce.

Global stock markets were mostly lower overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward weaker openings when the New York day session begins. Risk appetite has receded this week and that’s been bullish for the safe-haven metals. Inflation fears that are growing have put pressure on paper assets recently—namely stocks and bonds. Technical damage has been inflicted in the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq stock indexes that suggests those markets have put in at least near-term tops. Geopolitics are also in play early this year as the U.S. and Russia are in a stare-down over Russia’s aggression ambitions against Ukraine.

Crypto currencies are also feeling the heat this week, with Bitcoin hitting its lowest level since August.