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Gold and silver bring cheers for investors, 2026 outlook remains strong

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Mumbai, Dec 25: In a year marked by heightened global uncertainty, precious metals delivered exceptional returns for investors, with silver emerging as a surprise winner.

Silver prices surged by more than 137 per cent — outperforming gold — which also posted a strong gain of around 68 per cent this year.

With equity markets facing volatility, both metals strengthened their position as preferred safe investment options, but silver clearly outshone all traditional choices.

Gold’s strong performance was supported by geopolitical tensions, inflation concerns, and expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.

A major driving force behind gold’s rally was steady buying by global central banks. For three consecutive years — 2022, 2023 and 2024 — central banks have purchased more than 1,000 tonnes of gold each year.

Alongside this, global investors continued to invest through gold ETFs, using them as a safe place to park funds.

Big global banks have turned increasingly bullish on gold’s outlook. Goldman Sachs has raised its 2026 year-end gold price target to $4,900 per ounce, citing strong central bank demand and ETF inflows.

Deutsche Bank has also upgraded its outlook, projecting gold prices at $4,450 per ounce in 2026.

Silver’s rally, however, has been driven by more than just safe-haven demand. Strong industrial usage has played a crucial role.

Growing demand from sectors such as solar power, electric vehicles, and electronics has significantly increased silver consumption.

At the same time, supply constraints have tightened the market, pushing prices sharply higher.

This dual role — as a precious metal and an industrial input — has helped silver deliver more than double the returns of gold in 2025.

Looking ahead, experts believe the positive momentum in silver could continue into 2026.

Market specialists say that strong industrial demand, limited supply, and supportive global trends could help silver rise by another 15 to 20 per cent next year.

Some analysts expect that in the first half of 2026 alone, silver may generate an additional 20 to 25 per cent return from current levels, though they advise investors to invest gradually, especially if prices see short-term corrections.

Gold’s outlook also remains positive for 2026. Continued central bank buying, possible US rate cuts, and ongoing geopolitical risks are expected to support prices.

Analysts suggest that keeping an eye on central bank activity — whether they continue buying, hold their reserves, or start selling — will be critical, as their actions often signal future price trends well in advance.

“With uncertainty still dominating the global economic landscape, precious metals are likely to continue playing an important role in investor portfolios, offering a mix of safety and growth potential,” experts stated.

Meanwhile, both metal’s prices climbed to new record highs on the MCX on Wednesday morning, helped by a weak US dollar and expectations that the US Federal Reserve may cut interest rates further.

Gold futures for February rose 0.42 per cent to touch an all-time high of Rs 1,38,469 per 10 grams. Silver futures for March jumped nearly 2 per cent to hit a fresh record of Rs 2,23,742 per kg.

In the global market, gold prices crossed the $4,500 per ounce level for the first time. The rise was driven by strong demand for safe-haven assets as investors expect more interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve next year.

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MCX gold may test Rs 1.39 lakh support, silver outlook remains weak amid global uncertainty: Analysts

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Mumbai, July 18: MCX Gold and Silver are expected to remain volatile in the near term as investors assess geopolitical developments in the Middle East, movements in crude oil prices, and the US Federal Reserve’s policy outlook, according to market analysts.

Analysts said MCX Gold ended the week on a negative note but managed to stabilise around the key psychological support level of Rs 1,40,000.

They believe a decisive break below this level could accelerate selling pressure and drag prices towards the Rs 1,39,300-Rs 1,38,700 support zone.

“MCX Gold ended the week on a negative note but managed to find support near Rs 1,40,000 and is attempting to stabilise above this key level. A decisive break below Rs 1,40,000 could extend the decline toward the Rs 1,39,300–Rs 1,38,700 support zone,” as per the market expert.

“On the upside, immediate resistance is placed at Rs 1,40,700–Rs 1,41,000, followed by Rs 1,42,000–Rs 1,42,700. A sustained move above these resistance zones could strengthen recovery momentum,” an analyst stated.

MCX Silver also ended the week with a cautious negative bias, continuing to trade below key resistance levels.

Analysts expect resistance in the Rs 2,17,000-Rs 2,18,000 range, followed by Rs 2,20,000-Rs 2,21,000.

“On the downside, Rs 2,15,000–Rs 2,14,000 remains the immediate support zone, while a break below this area could drag prices toward Rs 2,11,000–Rs 2,10,000,” a market expert mentioned.

“Overall, the broader trend remains weak, with sustained strength above key resistance levels needed to signal a meaningful recovery,” the analyst stated.

Globally, COMEX Gold also finished the week with a negative bias while attempting to hold above the important $4,000 support level.

Analysts said a break below this mark could trigger fresh selling towards the $3,920-$3,900 zone, whereas a recovery above $4,050-$4,070 could lift prices towards $4,120-$4,150.

COMEX Silver remained under pressure as well, with prices trying to sustain above the $55-$54.50 support area.

Analysts noted that a decisive break below this range could lead to further weakness towards $53, while a move above $56.50-$57 could improve sentiment and potentially drive prices towards $59.

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RBI slaps fines on 2 Muthoot Group firms for breach of rules

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Mumbai, July 17: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on Muthoot Finance Limited as well as Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited for non-compliance with the central bank’s Know Your Customer (KYC) directions.

The RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 5.80 lakh on Muthoot Finance Limited and Rs 2.70 lakh on Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited for the breach of its regulations, according to a statement issued on Friday.

The RBI said that it carried out statutory inspection of Muthoot Finance Limited with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2025.

Based on the supervisory findings of noncompliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI concluded that the company failed to put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts; and it also failed to put in place a robust software for effective identification and reporting of suspicious transactions.

In the case of Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited also, the RBI conducted a statutory inspection of the company.

Based on the supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the company failed to put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts, with such periodicity being at least once in six months.

According to the RBI, the action in both cases is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the companies with their customers.

The imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the companies, the RBI said.

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Bomb threat note found on IndiGo Ahmedabad-bound flight; police launch probe

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Bengaluru, July 17: A hoax bomb threat found inside the lavatory of an IndiGo flight bound for Ahmedabad triggered a security scare at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, leading police to register an FIR and launch an investigation into the incident.

The threat was discovered on Thursday evening aboard IndiGo flight 6E-6423, which was scheduled to depart for Ahmedabad at 8 p.m.

According to police, a handwritten note bearing the message, “Don’t go. Bomb Hai! Please,” was found tucked inside the aircraft’s forward lavatory around 25 minutes before take-off.

The discovery prompted airport authorities and security personnel to immediately activate standard safety protocols.

The aircraft was subjected to a thorough security check, but no suspicious object or explosive material was found during the search.

Following the incident, IndiGo lodged a formal complaint with the airport police, stating that the hoax threat had caused operational disruption and raised serious safety concerns for passengers and crew.

Based on the airline’s complaint, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation to identify the person responsible for leaving the note and ascertain the motive behind the false bomb threat.

Meanwhile, last month, another IndiGo flight carrying around 180 passengers from Lucknow to Delhi was grounded after a bomb threat was discovered written on a tissue paper inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories, triggering a comprehensive security response at the airport.

The flight, scheduled to depart from Lucknow at 10:45 a.m. on June 12, was preparing for take-off when crew members were alerted to a possible security threat on board.

The aircraft was immediately halted at the apron and prevented from departing as security agencies initiated standard emergency procedures.

The scare began after a tissue paper bearing the word “bomb” was found inside one of the aircraft’s toilets.

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