Gold at Rs 31,450 touches 14-month high on overseas cues and local buying

Gold prices soared by Rs 350 to trade at over 14-month high of Rs 31,450 per 10 gram on Thursday, tracking a firm trend overseas amid pick-up in buying by local jewellers.

Silver regained the Rs 41,000-mark by jumping Rs 1,100 on increased offtake by industrial units and coin makers.

Bullion traders attributed the rally in gold to a firm trend overseas as the dollar weakened to near three-year lows in the wake of comments by US Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin that he welcomed a weaker currency, raising demand for the precious metal as a safe haven.

Besides, an uptick in seasonal buying by local jewellers firmed up the prices, they added.

Globally, gold ruled firm as it rose 0.43 per cent to trade at nearly 1-1/2 year high of $1,363.60 an ounce in Singapore. Silver also rose by 0.29 per cent to $17.58 an ounce.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity shot up by Rs 350 each to Rs 31,450 and Rs 31,300 per ten gram, respectively, a level last seen on November 9, 2016. It had gained Rs 25 in yesterday's trade.

Sovereign, however, held steady at Rs 24,800 per piece of eight gram.

Tracking gold, silver ready jumped Rs 1,100 to Rs 41,000 per kg and weekly-based delivery Rs 1,190 to Rs 40,130 per kg.

Silver coins however remained steady at Rs 74,000 for buying and Rs 75,000 for selling of 100 pieces.