UK based pawnbroker and an AIM listed company, H&T is, as it reported on Monday, making the most of the ever rising gold prices. The company said that it is trading "well ahead" of the present market trends and expectations. As gold prices are rising, the company is buying more and more gold and has now opened 56 shops across the country where it will buy unwanted jewelry from customers at its scrap value.

Figures collected show that since June end, the price of gold has risen from some $900 per ounce to a whopping $1,064. This is an all-time high, as last year at around the same time, an ounce of gold was priced at $700.

In a statement, H&T said keeping in view "(the) uncertainty as to the sustainability of either current gold purchasing volumes or related margins", the firm would not make any alterations to its 2010 forecast. In early trading, H&T shares rose from an earlier 6p to a whopping