Gold is likely to come under pressure in the domestic market on Monday as equities rose in Asia taking cues from a higher factory output in China and US jobs data showed lower unemployment rate.
The data were further boosted by retail sales in China bettering expectations. The dollar was down against a basket of currencies, all factors that determine the precious metal’s direction.
A falling dollar will drag gold prices since India depends on its imports to meet the demand. When equities gain, investors generally tend to sell off gold to put their money on stocks.
In early trade in Singapore, spot gold was unchanged at $ 1,704.31 an ounce, while gold futures ruled at $ 1,704.20.
In the domestic market on Saturday, gold for jewellery (99.5% purity) ended firm at Rs 31,005 for 10 gm, while pure gold (99.9% purity) edged up to Rs 31,140.
The oils and oilseeds complex could head lower in the domestic market following a fall in soyabean on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). Profit-booking and higher stocks dampened the sentiment in soyabean.
Soyabean for January delivery on CBOT slid to $ 14.78 a bushel.
On Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange, crude palm oil February contracts, on Friday, closed marginally up at 2,296 ringgit or $ 750 a tonne.
The drop in wheat on CBOT also dragged corn (industrial maize) and wheat. Technical selling, too, turned the complex bearish. A rise in the dollar that turns exports costlier could also act as a dampener in the domestic market.
Wheat March contracts on CBOT eased to $ 8.57-3/4 a bushel, while corn for delivery in March dropped to $ 7.38 a bushel.
The positive Chinese and US data could see crude oil gain as it raises demand hopes.
Brent crude January contracts increased to $ 107.40 a barrel, while NYMEX crude looked up at $ 86.12 a barrel in electronic trade in Asia.
A higher crude oil could see natural rubber gain since its alternative synthetic rubber, derived from crude oil, will rise.