There is a seasonal trade in the Venture which mirrors the seasonal trade in the PM sector (late July to late September). Didn't happen in 2008 – the crash year, but was very strong in 2009 & again in 2010. During those years it actually extended into the following March. Since the post-crash peak in 2011, the trade has been weaker, but was still there. As one might expect, the volume was strong and increasing in both 2009 & 2010, but not so in 2011 & 2012.

Venture's been trading sideways for a couple of months now. If this continues or it goes lower in the next month or so, it would set up another seasonal bounce. I suspect volume will once again indicate how strong the trade will be. If volume picks up, I'll play the trade in the juniors (good bang for the buck) – otherwise I'll just stick to the larger, more liquid gold stocks.