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The Rally that Got the Spotlight
For the past 13 months, gold has carved out a steady upward trajectory, reaching highs near ₹2,860 per gram in late 2023. The rally was underpinned by a series of macro‑economic forces: a comparatively weak U.S. dollar, persistently high inflation rates in the United States and Europe, and a surge in geopolitical risk‑off sentiment amid tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. India, the world’s largest gold importer, was a major contributor to demand, as retail investors and jewelers sought to hedge against currency volatility and an uncertain macro environment.
Silver, too, had followed a similar pattern, buoyed by industrial demand and speculative buying. By mid‑September, silver had climbed to a peak of ₹1,550 per gram, a level that represented a 30‑percent gain from the start of the year.
The Shock
On the day of the decline, the U.S. dollar index surged 0.9%, while the 10‑year Treasury yield jumped to 4.1%, its highest level in over a year. In the background, the Federal Reserve was expected to signal an upcoming interest‑rate hike—a move that investors had largely priced in. The strengthening dollar and rising yields exerted downward pressure on gold and silver, both of which are inversely correlated with the cost of borrowing and the currency's relative strength.
According to the Financial Express article, the sudden dip was triggered by a spike in risk appetite. As the dollar rose, investors began reallocating from risk‑off assets, such as gold, to risk‑on alternatives. The sharp decline was also compounded by a rapid sell‑off in Indian equity markets, which sent the Sensex down by over 1.5%. The rupee weakened against the dollar, adding further headwinds for gold buyers in India.
Technical vs. Fundamental Debates
Technical View
Supporters of the “technical correction” argument point to short‑term indicators. Gold’s 20‑day moving average, which it had comfortably trended above, was breached, and the commodity fell below key psychological support levels at ₹2,850 per gram. Technical traders argue that the decline is a natural correction after a prolonged up‑trend, and that a rebound is likely as price action normalizes. The silver market also shows similar short‑term retracement patterns, with the price dropping below its 50‑day moving average before potentially returning to higher levels.
Fundamental View
Fundamentalists, however, see the drop as a deeper warning sign. They argue that the rally had been largely built on weak fundamentals: the U.S. dollar was not the weakest in years, inflation rates were showing signs of moderation, and the probability of a 5% interest‑rate hike by the Fed was rising. Moreover, the Indian government’s push for reduced import duty on gold and the RBI’s cautious stance on monetary policy may reduce the immediate demand for physical gold. For silver, the decline in industrial demand—especially in the automotive and electronics sectors—further undermines the commodity’s growth potential.
Experts quoted in the article stress that the market’s recent sentiment has shifted from “risk‑off” to “risk‑on” as economic data suggests a potential return to growth. Thus, even if gold’s price rebounds in the short term, the rally may not be sustainable in the face of mounting macro‑economic headwinds.
Market Implications
The drop in precious‑metal prices has ripple effects across multiple markets:
Equities – The rally in gold had been supporting the “gold‑linked” sectors, including jewelers and metal refiners. Their stocks experienced a pullback, contributing to the overall sense of market risk. The rupee’s depreciation, while encouraging gold importers, also increased the cost of imports for other sectors, adding to inflationary pressures.
Bonds – As yields rise, bond prices fall. Investors are reallocating from gold to bonds, thereby intensifying the upward pressure on yields. This could, in turn, dampen corporate borrowing and affect long‑term financing costs.
Currency – The rupee’s fall has raised concerns about import inflation, especially for essential goods. Meanwhile, the dollar’s strength has made U.S. securities more attractive to foreign investors, further tightening liquidity.
Outlook
While the gold market shows signs of volatility, there is no consensus on its trajectory. Some analysts predict that the decline will act as a “shock” to the market, prompting a corrective rally once the temporary pain subsides. Others warn that the rally may be over, especially if the U.S. continues to tighten monetary policy and the global risk sentiment remains tilted toward growth rather than safety.
The financial press is keenly watching key economic releases, particularly the U.S. Treasury yields, the Federal Reserve’s policy statement, and India’s inflation data. An uptick in inflation or a sudden rate hike could further pressure precious‑metal prices, while a softer data release might provide an opening for a rebound.
In the meantime, retail investors and institutional players alike remain on high alert, balancing their portfolios between the allure of gold’s hedge and the realities of a tightening monetary environment. The debate between a technical correction and the end of a rally is far from settled, but the market’s next moves will likely be decisive.
Read the Full The Financial Express Article at:
[ https://www.financialexpress.com/market/gold-pulse/gold-silver-crash-sparks-investor-debate-technical-correction-or-end-of-the-rally/4020646/ ]