National News
Gold imports up 40.79 pc to USD 2.68 bn in Jan
The country’s gold imports in January rose by 40.79 per cent to USD 2.68 billion on account of increasing domestic demands, according to commerce ministry data.Gold imports stood at USD 1.9 billion in January 2024.Cumulatively, imports during April-January this fiscal year rose 32 per cent to USD 50 billion against USD 37.85 billion in the same period last fiscal year.
The increase in imports also indicates strong investor confidence in the precious metal as a safe asset. The other reasons include asset diversification towards gold due to global uncertainties, increasing demand from banks, and cut in customs duties.Prices of the yellow metal have increased 11 per cent so far this year to ₹88,200 per 10 gram in the national capital.
National News
MCX Gold, Silver See Sharp Decline On Surging Crude Oil Prices, Hawkish Fed Reserve
MCX Gold Plunged By Rs 2,200 (Nearly 1.5%) To Trade Near Rs 1.54 Lakh, While MCX Silver Dropped Over Rs 2,400 (Around 1%) To Hit An Intraday Low Below Rs 2.33 Lakh Per Kilogram
Precious metals experienced a sharp retreat on August 31, 2026, driven by an increasingly hawkish Federal Reserve and surging crude oil prices. In domestic markets, MCX gold plunged by Rs 2,200 (nearly 1.5%) to trade near Rs 1.54 lakh, while MCX silver dropped over Rs 2,400 (around 1%) to hit an intraday low below Rs 2.33 lakh per kilogram. This domestic downturn mirrored steep sell-offs across global spot markets, where gold dropped more than 1% to hover around $4,400 per ounce and silver slipped below the $66 per ounce mark.
Key Drivers Behind the Sell-Off
- Hawkish Fed Signals: Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh signaled persistent inflation concerns during the Jackson Hole summit, emphasizing that financial conditions remain insufficiently restrictive to reach the 2% inflation target.
- Rising Rate Hike Odds: Traders are now pricing in a 57% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike in September, up from roughly 40% last week.
- Energy & Geopolitical Pressures: US strikes on Iranian rocket launchers near the Strait of Hormuz lifted crude prices, compounding pressure on non-yielding bullion.
Despite the sharp end-of-month pullback, gold remains positioned to close August with a gain of more than 10%, supported by broad-based currency debasement trades.
-
International News55 minutes agoDMCC Establishes LGD Vertical As UAE Trade Reaches Record 76.9 Million Carats
-
National News1 hour agoMCX Gold, Silver See Sharp Decline On Surging Crude Oil Prices, Hawkish Fed Reserve
-
International News30 minutes agoGIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm Rare Tourmaline Discovery In Ethiopia
-
International News46 minutes agoDe Beers Will Partner With International Events Celebrating Nature, Creativity and Craftmanship.

