Gold prices slip ahead of US Fed chairman\'s speech
NEW DELHI: Gold and silver prices drifted lower in Thursday's session as traders booked profits ahead of a speech by US Fed chairman Jeremy Powell. Meanwhile, a surge in equities also diverted funds from safe haven assets.
Powell is set to speak at a virtual Jackson Hole symposium on Thursday, where he is expected to provide more insight on the US central bank's strategy on inflation and monetary policy.
Gold futures on MCX were down 0.18 per cent or Rs 94 at Rs 51,685 per 10 grams. Silver futures dipped 0.83 per cent or Rs 559 to Rs 66,970 per kg.
Gold prices declined Rs 210 to Rs 51,963 per 10 gram in the national capital on Wednesday following a weak trend in the global market and rupee appreciation, according to HDFC Securities. Silver prices also tanked Rs 1,077 to Rs 65,178 per kg.
Globally, gold prices were mostly unchanged after rising more than 1 per cent in the previous session on a weaker US dollar, as investors awaited a speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell due later in the day.
Spot gold was steady at $1,952.11 per ounce by 0037 GMT. US gold futures rose 0.3 per cent to $1,959.
The dollar index fell 0.2 per cent to a near one-week low against its rivals, making gold less expensive for holders of other currencies.
SPDR Gold Trust , the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings rose 0.3 per cent to 1,252.09 tonnes on Wednesday.
Silver dropped 0.8 per cent to $27.30 per ounce, platinum rose 0.6 per cent to $934.29, and palladium fell 0.6 per cent to $2,184.69.