Gold rises to Rs 26,246 per 10 gm

New Delhi, April 24: Extending its upward journey, gold prices rose further by 0.31 per cent to Rs 26,246 per 10 gm in futures trade on Wednesday, as speculators enlarged their positions triggered by a firming trend overseas on the back of rising physical purchases.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, metal for delivery in June gained Rs 82, or 0.31 per cent, to trade higher at Rs 26,246 per 10 gm in a turnover of 493 lots.

Similarly, the metal for delivery in far-month August contracts moved up by Rs 76, or 0.29 per cent, to Rs 26,645 per 10 gm, clocking a business volume of 17 lots.

Analysts said the rise in gold futures was mostly in line with a firming trend inthe global market on the back of more physical purchases.

Globally, gold climbed 0.58 per cent to USD 1,421.80 an ounce in Singapore.