Polina Devitt

Global gold demand excluding over-the-counter (OTC) trading was steady year-on-year at 1,176.5 metric tons in the third quarter as higher investment activity offset reduced jewellery consumption, the World Gold Council (WGC) said on Wednesday.

Gold is extending a period of successive record highs, moving the psychological milestone of $3,000 per ounce into view, analysts said, as geopolitical tension, a tight U.S. electoral race and favorable macro backdrop attract more investors.

Mining associations, whose members or participants include almost 100 companies, have launched a 60-day public consultation on a programme aimed at providing a consolidated standard for the sector's environment, social issues and governance (ESG).

Swiss gold exports fell in September to the lowest level since June owing to reduced shipments to India, customs data from the world's biggest bullion refining and transit hub showed on Thursday.

Central banks remain keen buyers of gold to diversify their reserves for financial or strategic reasons, representatives of three central banks told the London Bullion Market Association's annual conference in Miami on Monday.

Japan's Mitsui & Co plans to re-enter global precious metals trading to hedge client risk after a nine-year absence, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Global physically backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) registered a fifth consecutive month of inflows in September as North America-listed funds added to their holdings, the World Gold Council (WGC) said on Tuesday.

Physical demand for gold across key markets has tumbled as prices continue to rise, with some retail consumers opting to sell their holdings and book the profit, industry players and analysts said.

France's second largest listed bank Credit Agricole has decided to replace precious metals with trading in the regulated carbon markets starting from 2025, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

A surge in sales of hybrid cars as electric vehicle take-up slows is set to provide an unexpected boost to demand for platinum group metals (PGMs) in the coming years, similar to the extended lifespan now predicted for coal.