What is the premature redemption price for RBI's Sovereign Gold Bond?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Dec 26 (NationPress) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set the price for the premature redemption of the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2017-18 Series-XIII, which is due this Friday. Investors wishing to redeem their SGB 2017-18 Series-XIII, initially issued on December 26, 2017, can do so at a price of Rs 13,563 per gram.
Typically, these bonds come with an eight-year maturity period, but investors have the option for premature redemption starting from the fifth year.
Initially, the SGB was issued at Rs 2,866 per gram without any discount, yielding a remarkable 381.6 percent absolute simple return.
Additionally, investors benefit from a 2.5 percent annual interest paid out semi-annually, enhancing the overall effective yield. The final redemption price is determined by the simple average of the closing price of gold with 999 purity over the preceding three business days.
The SGBs are government-backed securities measured in grams of gold, providing a digital alternative to physical gold while offering returns based on price appreciation and semi-annual interest. By holding SGBs until maturity or the premature redemption date, investors can also avoid capital gains taxes.
The returns from these bonds reflect the performance of gold over the past five years, influenced by factors such as aggressive central bank purchases, anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cuts, US tariff concerns, geopolitical issues, and strong inflows into gold and silver ETFs.
Experts anticipate a further rise in gold prices due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and potential threats to the US dollar's status as the world's reserve currency.
In international markets, the spot gold price increased by over 0.5 percent, reaching $4,501.44 per ounce on Friday, following a peak of $4,530.60. The escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela are significant contributors to the upward trend in gold prices.
Market analysts are foreseeing two quarter-point interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2026, especially as inflation eases and labor market conditions weaken, compounded by safe-haven demand arising from increasing geopolitical tensions.
aar/na