POWELL: HAD A VIGOROUS DEBATE ABOUT GUIDANCE TODAY

Total Q1 gold demand rose 2% year-on-year to 1,231 tonnes, while soaring prices drove a 74% jump in value to a record $193 billion. Bar and coin demand climbed 42% to 474 tonnes, led by Asian investors. Gold-backed ETF inflows reached 62 tonnes, below the prior year’s strong level. Jewellery demand fell 23% by volume but spending increased 31%. Central banks bought 244 tonnes, up 3%, and technology demand edged 1% higher to 82 tonnes.

UAE OFFICIAL SAYS: AT THIS TIME, UAE IS NOT CONSIDERING ANY WITHDRAWALS