Gold rose 0.37 per cent to Rs 26,870 per 10 grams at the futures trade today as participants covered-up their short positions even as the metal dropped from three-week high in global markets.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, the metal for delivery in December gained Rs 97 or 0.37 per cent to trade at Rs 26,488 per 10 grams in a turnover of 492 lots.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in February next year moved up by Rs 99 or 0.37 per cent to Rs 26,870 per 10 grams, clocking a business volume of 64 lots.
Analysts said the rise in gold prices at the futures trade was mostly due to covering-up of short positions by speculators even as the precious metal slipped from three-week high in global markets.
Globally, gold traded lower at $1,200.28 an ounce in Singapore today from $1,201.55 on November 21.