Gold ends almost flat in lacklustre trade; silver firms up

Gold prices ended almost flat at the domestic bullion market here today due to lack of demand from stockists and retailers amid weak international cues.
Elsewhere, silver firmed up further on the back of sustained demand from industrial users.
Standard gold (99.5 purity) eased by Rs 5 to settle at Rs 28,045 per 10 grams from the overnight level of Rs 28,050.
Pure gold (99.9 purity) also softened by a similar margin to end at Rs 28,195 per 10 grams as against Rs 28,200 previously.
Silver (.999 fineness), however rose by Rs 80 to finish at Rs 40,580 per kg compared to Rs 40,500 yesterday.

In worldwide trade, the yellow-metal retreated from a five-month high on fresh selling pressure amid uncertainty ahead of the Greece election verdict and next week's Federal Open Market Committee's two-day meet.
Gold February delivery settled lower at USD 1,292.60 an ounce on the Comex division of the NYMEX late yesterday, while silver March contract settled at USD 18.30 an ounce.