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Asia Gold-India premiums reach 4-month peak as cost drop attracts consumers

Physical gold premiums in India climbed to a near fourmonth high this week, driven by a rebound in need as rates dropped, while leading customer China saw minimal retail purchasing interest.

Domestic prices in India fell to 73,300 rupees per 10 grams earlier today after striking a record high of 79,775 rupees last month.

Buyers were holding off for rates to drop, but once they did, retail buyers jumped in and started buying, stated a. Hyderabad-based jeweller.

Indian dealerships this week charged a premium << XAU-IN-PREM > of. as much as $16 an ounce over main domestic costs-- inclusive of. 6% import and 3% sales levies, from a premium of $3 recently. Higher premiums show an increase in retail demand.

Jewellers were renewing inventories after good sales. throughout Dhanteras and Diwali festivals, said a Mumbai-based. jeweller.

International spot gold prices were set to post their. worst week in more than 3 years, after costs dropped to. 2-month low on Thursday.

Despite gold trading significantly listed below its record high, a. shift towards precious metals in China has not been discovered yet,. stated Hugo Pascal, a precious metals trader at InProved.

Dealerships in China, the world's leading consumer of the metal,. offered discounts in between $10-$ 13 compared to recently's. $ 15-$ 17 discounts << XAU-CN-PREM >.

On the retail side, physical demand in China stays controlled. amidst a strong dollar and limited interest in the physical gold. market, said Peter Fung, head of dealing at Wing Fung Valuable. Metals, Hong Kong.

Dealerships in Hong Kong charged premiums approximately $1.20 on gold,. compared to last week's $0.20 discount rate and $1 premium. << XAU-HK-PREM >.

In Japan, bullion was offered << XAU-TK-PREM > at par to $0.5. premium, a little altered from recently, while traders in. Singapore sold it in between a $1.10 to $2.20 premium.

Many customers in Singapore are waiting for prices to bottom. before putting pending orders as more decreases are. expected, stated Brian Lan, managing director at GoldSilver. Central.

(source: Reuters)