Silver crashes Rs 12,500 to Rs 2.43 lakh per kg; gold declines Rs 900

Silver prices declined sharply from record levels, plummeting Rs 12,500 to Rs 2,43,500 per kg, while gold receded by Rs 900 in the national capital on Thursday, amid a rush of profit-booking globally.

According to the All India Sarafa Association, the white metal surged Rs 5,000 to touch a record high of Rs 2,56,000 per kg in the previous session on Wednesday.

In the local bullion market, the price of gold of 99.9 per cent purity decreased by Rs 900 to Rs 1,40,500 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) compared to the previous close of Rs 1,41,400 per 10 grams.

"Gold extended its fall on Thursday, weighed down by long liquidation as traders reduced their positions due to ease of safe-haven demand and a stable US dollar," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.

In the international markets, spot gold fell by USD 29.65, or 0.67 per cent, to USD 4,426.91 per ounce, while silver traded 3.22 per cent lower, or USD 2.51, to USD 75.67 per ounce.

Investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of key events, including anticipated rulings on Trump tariffs by the US Supreme Court on Friday and the release of the December labour market data, which also acted as headwinds for bullion prices, Gandhi said.

Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said market participants will await Friday's non-farm payrolls report, which is likely to add volatility and provide direction to bullion prices.

About the outlook, Saumil Gandhi of HDFC Securities added, "We expect the ongoing corrective phase in bullion prices to persist for the day, and the market remains under pressure from position unwinding and cautious investor sentiment."