Gold prices ease as sales slow a day after Akshaya Tritiya

Gold prices in India, the world’s biggest buyer of bullion, eased on Wednesday as fatigue set in, a day after Akshaya Tritiya, a key gold-buying festival.

* The most-active gold for June delivery on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) was down 0.15 percent at Rs 28,829 per 10 grams, after hitting a two-month high of Rs 28,944 during trade the previous day.

* “Sales have slowed today as the auspicious timings have ended,” said Kumar Jain, vice chairman of Mumbai Jewellers Association.

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* Sales on Tuesday for Akshaya Tritiya, the second biggest gold buying festival after Dhanteras, are estimated to have fallen by a half to 10 tonnes this year on high prices and as inflation crimped savings.

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* Overseas gold held around $1,641 per ounce on Wednesday, underpinned by stronger equities, but investors were also looking for hints of another round of quantitative easing when the U.S. Federal Reserve ends its two-day meeting.

* The Fed is due to release a statement outlining its views on policy and the economy at about 1630 GMT, followed by a news conference by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, who is likely to be peppered with questions on the chances of more easing.

Reuters