SHANGHAI/BEIJING, July 7 (Reuters) - China's central bank reported its biggest monthly increase in gold reserves in more than two and a half years in June, official data showed on Tuesday, although bullion prices tumbled.
China's central bank maintained gold purchases for a 20th straight month, with its reserves hitting 75.44 million fine troy ounces by the end of June, versus 74.96 million a month earlier. The 480,000-ounce rise, equivalent to near 15 metric tons, marked the biggest monthly addition since October 2023, when holdings rose by 740,000 ounces, according to data from the People's Bank of China.
The value of the country's gold reserves, however, declined, amounting to $303.72 billion at the end of last month, down from $340.75 billion in May, the data showed.
The rise came despite a sharp decline in gold prices. Spot gold tumbled 11.65% in June, the worst since October 2008, while breaking below the $4,000 an ounce mark briefly. The dollar strengthened and traders priced in a higher chance that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates elevated. The Iran war also kept concern that inflation could remain sticky despite peace talks.
Reporting by Dylan Duan in Shanghai, Qiaoyi Li and Ryan Woo in Beijing, Editing by Louise Heavens
Source: Reuters