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Gold and silver continued to trade higher for the third straight session on Thursday, 7 May, as expectations strengthened that the US and Iran could finally seal an agreement to end the two-month-long conflict in West Asia.
These developments also kept crude oil prices under pressure, easing concerns over inflationary pressures and reducing expectations that central banks would need to maintain restrictive policies for longer.
COMEX gold futures rallied $76 per troy ounce to an intraday high of $4,770, building on a 2.75% jump in the previous session, marking its biggest advance since late March. Silver prices, too, extended the winning run, rising $5 to $82.43 per ounce, after the white metal had gained 5% on Wednesday.
Gold and silver prices are trading higher due to strengthening expectations of a US-Iran agreement to end the conflict in West Asia. This development is easing concerns over inflation and reducing the likelihood of prolonged restrictive monetary policies by central banks.
Easing geopolitical fears, particularly regarding the US-Iran conflict and the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, are contributing to higher gold and silver prices. Historically, gold acts as a safe-haven asset during periods of macroeconomic instability and geopolitical uncertainty.
Analysts believe gold is likely to outperform silver in the near term due to its safe-haven status amid a weak global macroeconomic outlook and geopolitical uncertainties. Silver may face pressure from weaker industrial demand, although it can see sharp rallies supported by structural demand in certain industries.
A softer US dollar makes commodities like gold less expensive for holders of other currencies, which can lead to an increase in gold prices. The dollar index has been slipping, contributing to the rally in precious metals.
For MCX gold, support is seen in the ₹1,51,500 – ₹1,50,700 range, with resistance at ₹1,53,150 and ₹1,54,200. Silver has support at ₹2,49,100 and ₹2,45,500, with resistance at ₹2,58,000 and ₹2,61,000.
The latest rally has propelled the yellow metal weekly to date to 2.5%, while silver prices gained even more sharply by 7.8%.
Tensions in the Middle East, which had kept precious metals under severe volatility, appeared to be easing after Iran said it was reviewing the latest American proposals aimed at ending the war.
The latest media reports suggested that Iran was reviewing the latest American proposals aimed at ending the conflict. The reports indicated that the US had sent a one-page memorandum of understanding through Pakistani intermediaries to formally end the conflict and pave the way for the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump posted on social media that the two-month war could soon end, and that oil and natural gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could restart. However, he said that would depend on Iran accepting a reported agreement, the details of which were not disclosed.
Trump also warned Iran of a fresh wave of bombings unless a deal was reached that included reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
In the commodity market, Brent crude, the international benchmark, declined $5 to an intraday low of $96.32 a barrel, extending losses that erased the sharp gains recorded earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the dollar index slipped below 98 on Thursday, extending losses from the prior session as markets made greenback commodities less expensive for other currency holders.
Markets await the monthly US employment report on Friday to assess how the Fed will move forward with monetary policy this year.
While the falling crude oil prices re-ignited hopes of rate cuts, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee and President of St. Louis Fed Alberto Musalem struck a note of caution, highlighting that inflation is running above the target of 2%, Bloomberg reported.
Tracking the strong rally in the international market, the near-term gold futures contract on MCX gained ₹1,733 to hit the day’s high of ₹1,53,865 per 10 grams. In the previous session, the yellow metal had gained 1.6%, or ₹2,379, marking its biggest intraday gain since April 14.
Silver futures on MCX also extended gains, rising ₹12,235 per kg to reclaim the ₹2.65 lakh mark and touch an intraday high of ₹2,65,500 per kg. So far this week, the white metal has gained ₹13,500.
Disclaimer: We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Ksheera Sagar has been working as a Market Research Analyst at LiveMint for the past four years, covering stocks, commodities, and broader financial markets. In this role, he closely tracks daily market movements, corporate earnings, sector trends, and macroeconomic developments. <br><br> He has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry and has previously worked with multiple organisations, including global investment bank J.P. Morgan, bringing strong research experience into the newsroom. <br><br> During his career, he has gained extensive exposure to equity research, market analysis, and financial data interpretation, strengthening his expertise across asset classes and market cycles. <br><br> He is known for his data-driven analysis and crisp, listicle-style market stories that break down complex financial developments across key markets for a wide audience. His strong research skills enable him to write detailed and insightful stories on stocks and sectors, focusing on the underlying factors driving market movements. <br><br> His work combines quantitative insights with clear storytelling, presenting financial developments in a clear and structured manner. Moreover, he enjoys writing multibagger and listicle-style copies. Outside of work, Ksheera enjoys playing the piano and exploring new places. He has a keen interest in travel, music, and continuously learning about global markets and economic trends.
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