Latest News

ASIA GOLD - Record prices inflict a stifling effect on top hubs, while China and India switch to discounts

Due to the record-high prices of gold, demand for physical gold dropped in major Asian hubs this week. Dealers in China and India, two top consumers in Asia, responded by offering steep discounts in order to attract buyers.

On Wednesday, spot gold prices reached a record high of $3.578.50 an ounce and were on track for their best three-month period.

Indian dealers offer a discount Up to $12 per ounce above official domestic prices. This includes 6% import duties and 3% sales taxes, as opposed to the $4 premium last week.

The price hike has caused the demand to be thrown off. Harshad Ajmera is the owner of JJ Gold House in Kolkata.

Indians will celebrate Dussehra (October) and Diwali (October), when purchasing gold is considered auspicious.

India's gold price traded around 106.800 rupees for 10 grams last Friday after reaching a record-high 107.226 rupees this week.

A Mumbai-based dealer said that jewellers purchased gold in the last week before the festive season. However, the price spike has caused uncertainty about demand.

This week, Chinese dealers offered discounts ranging from $12 to $16 per ounce over the global benchmark price . Last week, the price of gold per ounce was set at $5 more than par.

The demand in China has been weak. The lack of interest in buying physical metals at these high costs is evident. The lack of new import quotas has a significant impact on the physical flow chain, said Bernard Sin.

In Hong Kong, gold In Singapore, the price was $1.60 higher than par. Gold traded at par prices with a premium of $2.20.

People are having a hard time digesting higher prices. Peter Fung, Wing Fung Precious Metals' head of trading, said that the lack of buying and some selling is due to this.

In Japan, bullion Was sold at a discounted price of $0.50 or a premium of $0.50 over spot prices.

(source: Reuters)