Gold declines by Rs 1,200 to Rs 1.24 lakh/10g on weak global trends
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices plunged by Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,24,100 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday amid weak global cues after comments from several US Federal Reserve officials dampened expectations of another rate cut next month.
The precious metal of 99.5 per cent purity declined by Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,23,500 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), extending its losses for the second straight session. It had settled at Rs 1,24,700 per 10 grams on Monday.
In the local bullion market, gold of 99.9 per cent purity had finished at Rs 1,25,300 per 10 grams in the previous market session.
"Gold fell on Tuesday, pressured by a strong US dollar and hawkish remarks from several Federal Reserve officials, who dismissed the possibility of another interest rate cut next month," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Silver also fell sharply by Rs 2,500 to Rs 1,51,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) on Tuesday from the previous close of Rs 1,54,000 per kg on Monday.
The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.12 per cent to 99.99, to a three-month high, which also put downward pressure on precious metals.
In the overseas markets, spot gold slipped by USD 7.84, or 0.2 per cent to USD 3,993.65 an ounce while silver was trading nearly 1 per cent lower at USD 47.73 per ounce.
Meanwhile, Fed Governor Lisa Cook, along with Mary Daly and Austan Goolsbee, highlighted labour market concerns but refrained from committing to another cut in December.
"Market attention now shifts to upcoming ADP employment and ISM PMI data, while easing safe-haven demand and China's withdrawal of gold tax incentives may weigh on sentiment," Kaynat Chainwala, AVP Commodity Research, Kotak Securities, said.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
