GOLD FUTURES END LOWER AS OIL PRICES SURGE

By Fatin Umairah Abdul Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- Gold futures on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives continue to end lower at Thursday's closing after crude oil prices surged past US$100, which pushed short end US yields and the dollar higher.

SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said gold prices remain highly sensitive to bond yields as stronger demand for the US dollar and rising short-term interest rates limit the metal’s gains despite geopolitical tensions.

“As oil later retraced roughly half that surge, yields eased and risk sentiment steadied, allowing gold to recover and trade back near yesterday’s Malaysia close," he told Bernama.

At the time of writing, Brent crude oil price rose 4.87 per cent to US$96.47 per barrel.

Meanwhile at the close, the spot-month March 2026 contract eased to US$5,192.30 per troy ounce from US$5,199.70 on Wednesday, April 2026 was marginally lower at US$5,211.10 per troy ounce compared to US$5,218.50 yesterday, and May 2026 slid to US$5,230.30 per troy ounce from US$5,237.70 yesterday.

The June and August 2026 contracts also settled lower at US$5,264.20 per troy ounce against US$5,271.60 previously.

Trading volume fell to six lots from 13 lots yesterday, while open interest eased to 76 contracts from 85 contracts previously.

Physical gold was fixed at US$5,182.40 per troy ounce at the London Bullion Market Association afternoon fix on March 11, 2026.

-- BERNAMA