Latest News

Asia Gold-Price dip stops working to stimulate India retail demand; China premiums dip

Gold demand in India somewhat improved this week after costs fixed from a record high but retail purchases stayed lower than normal prompting dealerships to expand discounts, while need in China likewise suffered with premiums edging lower.

In India, the world's second-largest gold customer and a. major importer, domestic rates < were trading around. 71,500 rupees per 10 grams on Friday, after striking a record. high of 74,442 rupees earlier this week.

Gold prices have boiled down, but retail customers are still. waiting on the sidelines, anticipating an even bigger fall, said. Ashish Pethe, partner at Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers.

Indian dealerships offered a discount rate << XAU-IN-PREM > of approximately $13. an ounce over main domestic rates - inclusive of 15% import. and 3% sales levies, versus last week's discount of $10.

In the 2nd half of the week, a few jewellers made small. purchases to renew stocks, said a Mumbai-based bullion. dealer with a private bank.

Meanwhile, India's gold imports in 2024 could fall by almost. a fifth from the previous year, the head of an industry body. told .

In top customer China, premiums << XAU-CN-PREM > were seen. in between $15-$ 20 per ounce over benchmark spot costs,. versus $16-$ 30 last week.

Besides higher costs previously in the week, the current. correction in area gold might have startled some investors, leading. them to await a better entry point, possibly moistening. demand for physical gold, stated Bernard Sin, local director,. Greater China, at MKS PAMP.

Spot gold costs were set for their greatest weekly drop in. over 5 months.

If gold touches the $2,300 level, we can see some physical. buying interest returning into the marketplace, stated Peter Fung,. head of dealing at Wing Fung Rare-earth Elements in Hong Kong.

Bullion is being offered in between at par to $2.50 premiums. << XAU-SG-PREM > in Singapore, and at par to $2.00 premiums. << XAU-HK-PREM > in Hong Kong.

In Japan, dealerships offered gold << XAU-TK-PREM > at a $0.25-$ 0.50. premium, a little lower than last week's variety.

(source: Reuters)