•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Early morning update on April 21: domestic bullion and ring gold prices remained unchanged from the previous close. For bullion, the selling prices at major brands were commonly at 171.3 million dong per tael, down about 700,000 dong per tael from yesterday. Currently, SJC, DOJI, Bao Tin Minh Chau, Bao Tin Manh Hai and Phu Quy quote 168.3–171.3 million dong per tael (buy - sell). Mi Hong quotes higher on the buy side at 169.5 million dong per tael, and 171 million dong per tael on the sell side. For ring gold, SJC quotes 167.8–170.8 million dong per tael. Bao Tin Minh Chau, Bao Tin Manh Hai and Phu Quy trade at 168–171 million per tael, while DOJI is higher at 168.3–171.3. The price range for ring gold has broadly fallen by 200,000–500,000 dong per tael versus yesterday. Gold price at the start of the day at BTMH. On the world market, gold prices fell to a one-week low on Monday before a mild rebound as Iran threatened retaliation after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship, pushing the dollar and oil higher. Spot gold at times fell 0.4% to 4,810.26 USD per ounce, the lowest since April 13 in the session. The US dollar index (DXY) rose to its highest in a week before easing, as US-Iran tensions resurfaced, increasing market uncertainty about achieving a peace agreement. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note also rose, increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold. In this context, the move suggests a potential downward tilt for gold in the near term if oil prices spike again, with the dollar and yields possibly moving higher, according to Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at City Index and FOREX.com. The US-Iran ceasefire appears to be under threat after the incident, with oil rising about 5% on concerns the ceasefire could break down while shipping through the Hormuz Strait remains largely disrupted. Although gold is viewed as an inflation hedge, demand for non-yielding assets tends to ease when global rates stay high, with rates possibly staying elevated longer due to inflationary pressures from the Middle East conflict. Technical commentary from Jim Wyckoff, senior market analyst at Kitco Metals, notes that traders are focusing on near-term negatives such as a stronger dollar and higher yields; the next upside target for gold bulls in the June contract is to close above the key resistance of 5,000 USD.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
