Gold and Silver Mixed on MCX Amid US Dollar Strength and Iran War Signals

Gold and silver prices on the MCX showed mixed performance on Monday. Gold futures dropped by Rs 1,069 to reach Rs 1,54,513 per 10 grams, pressured by a stronger US dollar and rising crude oil prices. Conversely, silver futures gained Rs 1,095, trading at Rs 2,68,093 per kg. Traders are currently cautious, awaiting further clarity regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance on the Iran ceasefire agreement and its potential impact on global geopolitical stability.
This summary was generated by PolitGlobe's AI pipeline from publicly available reporting at Economic Times. For the full original article, visit the source below.
Read full article at Economic TimesRelated coverage

US Markets Face Test From Jobs Data and AI Earnings Amid Inflation Fears
Wall Street is bracing for a critical week as upcoming U.S. jobs data and earnings from AI-giant Broadcom will test the recent market rally. While enthusiasm for artificial intelligence has previously driven gains, investors remain wary of persistent inflation and the risk of further interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. This data will be crucial in determining the short-term direction of the stock market and managing expectations regarding monetary policy and economic health.

Asian Paints Shares Surge 4% Following Strong Q4 Profit Growth
Asian Paints saw its shares rise by 4% after the company announced a significant 69% year-on-year increase in profit for the fourth quarter. The company also reported stronger operating margins, triggering a positive response from investors. While brokerage firm Nomura maintained a Buy rating with a target of Rs 3,600, Motilal Oswal remained neutral, pointing to uncertainties in future demand despite the upbeat quarterly performance and higher earnings estimates.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Defends Central Bank Autonomy
Former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has emphasized the critical importance of keeping the central bank independent from political influence. Speaking at an awards ceremony, Powell warned that if political pressure dictates monetary policy, it could erode public confidence and damage the economy. His remarks come at a time of heightened political scrutiny regarding interest rate decisions, particularly following previous tensions with the executive branch over the direction of U.S. monetary policy.

Nepal PM Balendra Shah Claims India Encroached on Nepalese Territory
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has sparked a significant political controversy in Parliament by alleging that India has encroached upon Nepalese territory. The remarks led to a heated debate among lawmakers, prompting the Nepalese government to later issue a formal clarification. Officials attributed the territorial discrepancies to technical factors, specifically the natural shifting of river courses that define portions of the international boundary. This incident highlights ongoing sensitivities regarding border demarcation between the two nations, despite the government's attempt to de-escalate the situation through technical explanations.