SHANGHAI COMPOSITE TURNS POSITIVE, SHENZHEN AND CHINEXT ALSO MOVE INTO GAINS; AEROSPACE EQUIPMENT AND GAMING SECTORS LEAD GAINS

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.

U.S. CRUDE OIL FUTURES SETTLE AT $99.93/BBL, UP $3.56, 3.69 PCT