June 19 (Reuters) – Gold demand was modest in India this week as prices fell to their lowest level in two-and-a-half months and remained volatile, while top consumer China flipped to a discount for the first time since late December.
Dealers in India quoted discounts of up to $54 an ounce over official domestic prices this week, inclusive of 15% import and 3% sales levies, widening from last week’s discounts of up to $35.
“The price correction is helping bring buyers back to the market, but excessive volatility is prompting some buyers to wait for a clearer price trend,” said an Ahmedabad-based jeweller.
Domestic gold prices fell to 146,252 rupees per 10 grams on Friday, the lowest since April 2.
“Investment demand has remained weak over the past few weeks. However, jewellers are showing some interest in building inventories,” said a Mumbai-based bullion dealer with a private bank.
India’s physically backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded their first net monthly outflow in a year in May, driven by profit-taking following a price rally on higher import duties.
In China, bullion shifted to discounts of $4 to $8 an ounce to the global benchmark spot price , compared with premiums of $1 to $5 last week, as investors stayed on the sidelines awaiting further details on the U.S.-Iran deal.
Gold prices have fallen over 23% since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran in late February, pressured by fears of energy-driven inflation and expectations of higher U.S. interest rates.
“The physical gold market in Shanghai remains very quiet, and I am not seeing much buying interest. Investors across China are still concerned about uncertainty in the Middle East and are waiting for a clearer picture,” said Peter Fung, head of dealing at Wing Fung Precious Metals.
“Demand may pick up after the holidays or maybe in July or August.”
Markets in mainland China and Hong Kong were closed for the Dragon Boat Festival holiday on Friday.
In Hong Kong, gold traded between par and a $2 premium, while in Japan , it was sold at a discount of $0.25.
In Singapore , gold was sold between a $0.50 discount and a $1.80 premium.
Reporting by Noel John in Bengaluru and Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai; Editing by Eileen Soreng.
