TOKYO/NEW DELHI/SHANGHAI -- As global gold prices near record levels, pushed higher by investors looking for a safe haven amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, Asia's retail demand for physical gold has taken a beating.
Gold has become more expensive as investors fret over uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With no clear end to the outbreak in sight, central banks have opened the monetary taps, encouraging buying among people looking for a safe asset in which to park their cash.
