Gold prices edged up by Rs 26 to Rs 31,417 per 10 grams in the futures market on Tuesday, as participants widened their bets even as the metal weakened overseas.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold to be delivered in February was up by Rs 26 or 0.08 per cent, to trade to Rs 31,417 per 10 gram in a business turnover of 12,377 lots.

According to analysts, raising of bets by speculators at current levels pushed up gold prices in the futures trade here, but a subdued trend overseas limited the gains.

The precious metal recorded an intra-day high Rs 31,420 around 0930 hours on Tuesday. Globally, gold was trading higher by 0.36 per cent at $1,282.85 an ounce in Singapore.