Central banks increased gold purchases to the fastest pace in more than a year in Q1, with net official-sector buying rising to 244 tons from 208 tons in the previous quarter, according to estimates from the World Gold Council. Poland, Uzbekistan and China were the largest reported buyers, while some institutions sold an estimated 115 tons, including Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan for policy-related reasons. The net increase came despite gold price volatility, with bullion hitting a record near $5,600 in late January before falling about 12% in March. Much of the central bank buying is unreported and estimated using trade data and research.(金十数据)