Domestic and international gold prices averted any fall in value during short period buying besides on Gold Futures speculation and short and long term investment. Yellow metal closed at Rs 64,839 per tola, meagerly a rise of Rs 64 per tola by the end of trade primarily due to international prices of the yellow metal which closed at $1,249 with no change. In grammage term, metal closed at Rs 55,648 per ten grams, up by Rs 55 per grams. Rise/fall in prices of gold globally largely depends on fluctuation in international crude oil prices. It is also having an impact on local bullion prices. However, the escalation or decline of gold prices in local markets is not proportionate with the international markets, because demand for gold declines here whenever the yellow metal becomes dearer globally. The rates might go considerably up from next week when full-fledged trading would start. Gold was trading in local markets at cheaper rates than Dubai and Saudi Arabia, where people have purchasing power. Here the purchasing power of general public has fallen, so they don’t buy gold when it gets expensive because it is not an essential item. Gold prices in the local markets depend on fluctuations of global bullion rates owing to the rupee-dollar parity, but now it is also linked with international oil price. Gold imports in the country are at a standstill for more than last ten months, as prices of gold remained higher in the adjoining markets and not affordable for local dealers. Published in Daily Times, December 9th 2018.