Gold falls to Rs 1,25,900/10 g in Delhi as trade optimism dulls safe haven demand
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices declined by Rs 700 to Rs 1,25,900 per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday, tracking weak global trends as easing US-China trade tensions dented safe-haven demand.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal had climbed Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,26,600 per 10 grams on Saturday.
Gold of 99.5 per cent purity also fell by Rs 700 to Rs 1,25,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). It had settled at Rs 1,26,000 per 10 grams in the previous session.
"Gold resumed trading on a weaker note on Monday as signs of easing US-China trade tensions have increased investors' interest in riskier assets, creating a negative impact on precious metals," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
In the local bullion market, silver prices slumped sharply by Rs 4,250 to Rs 1,51,250 per kg (inclusive of all taxes) on Monday. The white metal had ended at Rs 1,55,500 per kg, up by Rs 2,900 on Saturday.
On Sunday, top economic officials from Washington and Beijing agreed on the framework of a potential trade deal, which is expected to be discussed when US President Donald Trump meets his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in South Korea later this week.
In the overseas markets, spot gold extended the losses for the second straight day, by dropping USD 97.86, or 2.38 per cent to USD 4,015.55 per ounce.
Gandhi said investors continued to take profits and withdraw from gold-backed exchange-traded funds, adding further pressure on the bullion prices.
"We believe bullion will remain under selling pressure in the short term, and the downside will intensify once spot gold slips below the USD 4,000 per ounce level," he noted.
Spot silver was quoted 2.03 per cent lower at USD 47.60 an ounce in overseas markets.
Investors are shifting their focus to central bank meetings later this week.
"The US Federal Reserve is largely anticipated to cut interest rates by 25 basis points after weaker than expected inflation data while the European Central Bank and Bank of Japan are expected to maintain current policy rates," Renisha Chainani, Head - Research at Augmont, said.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
