Kuala lumpur: The gold futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives is anticipated to trade cautiously next week as markets expect central banks to maintain an aggressively hawkish stance due to rising energy-driven inflation. Investors are also keeping a close watch on developments in the West Asia conflict and upcoming economic data releases.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes noted that the market remained unsettled this week but showed signs of adjusting its reaction to developments. Innes stated, "Instead of reacting sharply to every headline, markets are beginning to absorb the news, suggesting that a significant portion of the negative developments may already be priced in."

Gold often moves inversely to the US dollar. On a week-on-week basis, the spot-month April 2026 contract increased to US$4,670.00 per troy ounce from US$4,459.80 per troy ounce recorded in the previous week. The May 2026 contract improved to US$4,689.30 per troy ounce from US$4,479.80 per troy ounce.

The June, July, and August 2026 contracts also finished stronger at US$4,708.60 per troy ounce from US$4,513.70 per troy ounce in the preceding week. Weekly trading volume rose to 69 lots from 60 lots a week earlier, while open interest fell to 58 contracts from 87 contracts.

Physical gold was fixed at US$4,639.35 per troy ounce at the London Bullion Market Association afternoon fix on April 2, 2026.