GOLD FUTURES END LOWER AS RISK APPETITE GROWS

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- The gold futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended lower on Friday as risk appetite improved on trade talks between US and China.

SPI Asset Management managing director Stephen Innes said gold opened the day strongly, briefly touching US$3,370 per troy ounce amid continued uncertainty surrounding the US-China trade dispute.

“However, those gains quickly reversed after China signalled it may consider easing some of its tariffs on US goods in order to support its domestic industries.

“That suggestion helped ease fears of an escalating trade conflict and triggered a sharp US$70 pullback in gold prices,” he told Bernama.

Innes said the market remains highly sensitive to trade-related headlines, and gold has been moving in close correlation with perceived tensions.

“Any signs of de-escalation, even tentative ones, tend to reduce safe-haven demand,” he added.

At today’s close, the spot month April 2025 contract dropped to US$3,307.20 per troy ounce from US$3,338.70 per troy ounce on Thursday, and May 2025 contract decreased to US$3,316.20 per troy ounce from US$3,347.70 per troy ounce. 

June 2025, July 2025 and August 2025 contracts fell to US$3,332.80 per troy ounce from US$3,364.90 per troy ounce yesterday.

Trading volume decreased to 37 lots from 243 lots on Thursday while open interest fell to 88 contracts from 271 contracts previously.

According to the London Bullion Market Association’s afternoon fix on April 24, physical gold was priced at US$3,314.75 per troy ounce.

-- BERNAMA