Gold extends losses on weak global cues, muted demand

Falling for a second straight day, gold prices fell by Rs 35 to Rs 25,915 at the bullion market today in line with a weak global trend amid easing demand from jewellers and retailers.
Silver also declined by Rs 100 to Rs 34,300 per kg due to reduced offtake by industrial users and coin makers.
Traders said sentiment remained bearish in line with weak trend overseas where gold traded near a five-year low as investors sold bullion-backed funds amid expectations the US will increase interest rates this year.
Globally, gold fell 0.10 per cent to USD 1,083.90 an ounce and silver shed 0.21 per cent at USD 14.28 an ounce in New York in yesterday's trade.

Besides, easing demand from jewellers and retailers too dampened the sentiment, they said.
Meanwhile, government yesterday slashed import tariff value on gold and silver to USD 354 per 10 grams and USD 470 per kg, respectively, tracking weakness in global markets.

For the last fortnight, the tariff value on imported gold was fixed at USD 373 per 10 grams and on silver it was USD 517 per kg.
In the national capital, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity eased further by Rs 35 each to trade at fresh three-month low of Rs 25,915 and Rs 25,765 per ten gram, respectively. It had lost Rs 300 yesterday.

Sovereign, however, remained steady at Rs 22,200 per piece of eight gram in limited deals.
Following gold, silver ready drifted by Rs 100 to Rs 34,300 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 115 to Rs 33,810 per kg.
On the other hand, silver coins spurted by Rs 1,000 to Rs 48,000 for buying and Rs 49,000 for selling of 100 pieces.