Silver slides for 3rd straight day to Rs 2.6 lakh/kg; gold drops to Rs 1.52 lakh/10g
New Delhi (PTI): Silver prices extended its steep fall for the third straight day, tumbling Rs 52,000 to Rs 2.60 lakh per kg in the national capital on Monday, while gold fell to Rs 1.52 lakh per 10 grams amid weak global trends and a firm US dollar.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the white metal nosedived Rs 52,000, or nearly 17 per cent, to Rs 2,60,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes).
On Saturday, the metal tanked 19 per cent, or Rs 72,500, to Rs 3.12 lakh per kilogram.
In the last three sessions, silver prices have fallen Rs 1,44,500, or nearly 36 per cent from Rs 4,04,500 per kg -- its all-time high -- recorded on January 29.
Gold price of 99.9 per cent purity also bore the brunt of the sell-off, crashing by Rs 12,800, or 7.73 per cent, to Rs 1,52,700 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) on Monday. It had settled at Rs 1,65,500 per 10 grams in the previous session.
Over the last three sessions, the metal has plunged Rs 30,300, or nearly 17 per cent, from its record high of Rs 1,83,000 per 10 grams on January 29, as investors rushed to book profits after a sharp rally.
"Gold and silver languished after the US dollar surged amidst President Donald Trump's tariff negotiations, and de-escalation between US and Iran with US shutdown fears also being delayed once again with a liquidity push," said Manav Modi, Analyst, Commodities at Motilal Oswal Financial services Ltd.
Gaurav Garg, Research Analyst at Lemonn Markets Desk, said, the Union Budget 2026-27 delivered no changes to gold and silver import duties in the domestic markets, contrary to market expectations, removing a potential near-term catalyst for prices in the country.
In the global market, gold and silver mirrored the bearish trend, with spot yellow metal slipping USD 83.75, or 1.72 per cent, to USD 4,781.60 per ounce.
"Spot gold began the week on a negative note and continue to reel under intense selling pressure, driven by firm dollar and President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair," Praveen Singh, Research Analyst, Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said.
Spot silver prices also slipped USD 1.2, or 1.42 per cent, to USD 83.49 per ounce in the overseas trade.
"Market participants will focus on developments in Middle East, alongside monetary policy decisions from Europe, the UK, and India," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst, Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
On the economic front, traders will also monitor US key data releases, including non-farm payrolls, the unemployment rate, and speeches from several Federal Reserve officials, are expected to influence the precious metals market this week, he added.
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Gujarat govt to provide new PNG connections to hotels, hostels, educational institutes
Ahmedabad (PTI): The Gujarat government has decided to provide new PNG (piped natural gas) connections to restaurants, hotels, educational and socio-religious institutions located in areas where the pipeline distribution network is available, if they apply for the facility.
The decision was taken on Friday at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The meeting reviewed the status of PNG and petroleum products in the state in the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has severely disrupted global energy supplies.
"The CM took an important decision that in the areas of the state where pipeline network for city gas distribution is available, restaurants, hotels, educational and socio-religious institutions demanding new PNG connections will be given the same with immediate effect as per their needs," stated an official release.
The meeting was informed that a sufficient quantity of natural gas supply was currently available in the state for citizens who get gas through pipelines for domestic use, it said.
The government on Thursday insisted that adequate stocks of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and PNG are available in the state for domestic consumption despite the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia, from where India imports a large share of its energy products.
Continuous monitoring is being carried out by the Centre and state authorities to ensure uninterrupted supply and distribution of LPG cylinders across Gujarat, it had said.
