Gold moved down by 0.39% to Rs 26,190 per 10 grams in futures trade today as speculators locked in gains registered during the shiny metal's steady rise to record levels over the past few weeks amid a weak trend in global markets.
A weak trend in the domestic market on sluggish demand at prevailing high levels also put pressure on gold futures prices here.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold for delivery in December fell by Rs 353, or 0.39%, to Rs 26,190 per 10 grams, with a business turnover of 200 lots.
Gold for delivery in October also lost Rs 88, or 0.33%, to Rs 26,205 per 10 grams, with a trade turnover of 2,723 lots.
Analysts said the fall in gold futures prices was mostly due to profit-booking by speculators at record high levels amid a weak trend overseas, where the precious metal fell the most since 2008 as US stocks and dollar rose after reports on durable-goods orders and home prices beat estimates.
In New York, gold plunged by $77.90, or 4.26%, to $1,751.30 an ounce yesterday. The metal had hit an all-time high of $1,913.50 earlier this week.
On the domestic front, gold prices in the national capital fell by Rs 350 to Rs 27,840 per 10 grams yesterday.