A weaker rupee and a sharp rise in global rates pushed domestic gold prices to new highs today. On MCX, April gold futures jumped 0.9% to ₹43,036 per 10 gram. Gold prices had surged about ₹1,800 per 10 gram in the past week. Tracking gold, silver prices also moved higher today. Meanwhile, the rupee fell to 71.89 against the US dollar today, tracking weakness in other Asian currencies. A depreciation in the rupee increases the landed cost of gold in India as the country imports most of its bullion requirements. Domestic prices include 12.5% import duty and 3% GST. Silver futures on MCX rose 0.64% to ₹ 48,615 per kg.

In global markets, gold prices jumped over 2% today to their highest in over seven years as a spike in coronavirus cases outside China pushed investors towards bullion, which is considered a safe-haven in times of uncertainty. Spot gold rates rose to as much as $1,678.58 an ounce.

South Korea, Italy and Iran have reported a sharp spike in infections, although the total number of cases outside China remains relatively small. Among other precious metals, silver rose 0.9% to $18.62 an ounce while palladium inched up 0.2% $2,709.01 per ounce. Platinum eased 0.1% $972.70.