Higher gold prices hit Diwali sales

mumbai — Gold buyers in India, the biggest market after China, may give jewellery stores a miss in the run-up to the Diwali festival this year because of a surge in domestic prices to the highest level in more than two years. Shares of the country’s biggest listed jewellers tumbled on Wednesday.

Bullion has climbed in local markets because of a weak rupee, and rising prices just before the celebrations of Diwali and Dhanteras aren’t good for demand, said Chirag Sheth, an analyst with Metals Focus Ltd in Mumbai. Plus, “overseas spot gold has, in the last two or three days, shown the first signs of breakout,” he said. “If this trend continues, then it’s going to be a dampener.”

The most auspicious day of the year to buy gold is Dhanteras, which falls on November 5, two days before the Hindu festival of Diwali. Wearing or gifting of jewelry is thought to bring good fortune during celebrations and weddings. The last quarter of the year is the season of peak demand, with Indians buying almost 240 metric tonnes on average in the past four years, according to data from the World Gold Council.

Gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India have climbed about 10 per cent this year to the highest since July 2016, while overseas gold fell 6 per cent. Analysts expect the rupee to extend its worst run of losses in 16 years. The South Asian nation imports almost all the gold it consumes.

“Demand is very low this year,” said Nitin Khandelwal, chairman of the All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council. Still, he remains optimistic of a spurt in purchases around Diwali “as no marriages can happen without jewelry.”