Gold prices shot up by Rs 435 per 10 grams to a new peak of Rs 14,175 on the bullion market in Mumbai on Thursday following renewed buying from stockists and investors on the back of firm trend in global markets.
Silver also moved up in line with gold prices as well as renewed industrial inquiries.
Volatility in other assets that forced investors to park their funds in precious metals as a safe investment also boosted the prices of these metals.
Gold strengthened more than two per cent in Europe to a three-month high, as investors preferred to invest in the metal from the current uncertain scenario.
According to market perception, China taking an interest in gold as an alternative to U S Treasuries, and of a European fund buying bullion, also influenced the prices. Spot gold climbed to a high of $926.10 an ounce and was quoted at $918.50/920.50 an ounce up from $906.75 in New York late on Thursday.
Gold futures rebounced in New York after two sessions to above $900 an ounce as gloomy economic news in the US triggered safe-haven buying.
Gold for February delivery ended up by $16.90 an ounce to $905.10 on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. March silver also rose to $12.145 an ounce. Gold was rising as "economic malaise continues to batter the world", a dealer said.
Turning to the domestic market, standard gold (99.5 purity) shot up by Rs 435 per ten grams to Rs 14,175 from Thursday’s closing level of Rs 13,740. Pure gold (99.9 purity) also rose to Rs 14,240 from Rs 13,805.
Silver ready (.999 fineness) jumped by Rs 575 per kilo to Rs 19,795 from Rs 19,220 on Thursday.