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India is celebrating <keyword id="23288581" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhanteras" source="keywords">Dhanteras</keyword> today, even as the public remains cautious about adding gold's glitter to their portfolios, given the metal's sky-high prices. <keyword id="19910265" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-prices" source="keywords">Gold prices</keyword> went past the Rs 81,000 mark today in Delhi. Per IBJA (<keyword id="20397944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Bullion-and-Jewellers-Association" source="keywords">India Bullion and Jewellers Association</keyword> Ltd.), the cost of 24K gold stood at Rs 7,885/gram today, while 22K gold was priced at Rs 7,695/gram. While jewelers anticipate some increase in customer footfall today, between afternoon and late evening, the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council expects sales volumes to remain steady at around 20 tons. However, per their estimates, sales this year might be down by 5% compared to last year. The <keyword id="19921618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Confederation-of-All-India-Traders" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Confederation of All India Traders" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Confederation of All India Traders">Confederation of All India Traders</keyword> (CAIT) projects nationwide retail trade worth Rs 50,000 crore during this Dhanteras. Even quick-commerce companies are cashing in on the Dhanteras sentiment. While Blinkit has partnered with Joyalukkas and Malabar Gold and Diamonds to deliver gold and silver coins in 10 minutes, Zepto has teamed with Augmont and Malabar for the same. Per media reports, Swiggy Instamart has partnered with Muthoot Exim and Malabar, while BigBasket has tied up with Tanishq. Legend has it that it was on this day that Lord Dhanvantari, the deity of health, appeared today, making brass utensils particularly auspicious for purchase. People also seek blessings from Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kuber, and it is considered auspicious to buy gold and silver jewelry, utensils, kitchenware, vehicles, garments, and electronics on this day. <h2>The appreciation of gold</h2> Gold has had a great run this year, having a YTD (yield-to-date) of 24%. Despite high prices, the demand for gold this festive and wedding season is expected to remain buoyant in India. The yellow metal's demand as a haven has jumped up significantly in recent times, owing to <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> like the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Moreover, with governments across the world trying to tame inflation and boost spending by way of rate cuts, gold is increasingly being seen as an effective hedge against inflation. Experts suggest that the demand is set to remain elevated for the times to come. "The immediate outlook for gold remains robust, supported by the recent import duty reduction from 15% to 6%, which has already stirred significant market activity with imports doubling year-over-year. Despite price changes, the traditional festive and wedding seasons continue driving strong demand, with consumers adapting their purchasing patterns," says Vikas Singh, Managing Director &amp; CEO of MMTC-PAMP. "Looking ahead, multiple structural factors paint a positive long-term picture. There is an overall trend of increasing gold holdings providing sustained price support. While physical gold remains paramount, there's increasing interest in gold investments, particularly among urban consumers," he continues. <h2>How to check if your gold is pure </h2>First, always make sure to buy only hallmarked physical gold. "Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in the precious metal article. Hallmarking provides consumers with third-party assurance and satisfaction that they get the right purity of gold (or silver), the government noted in a press release yesterday, urging customers to buy only <keyword id="23040621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hallmarked-gold" source="keywords">hallmarked gold</keyword> and silver. Hallmarked gold is characterized by a few specific marks, like the logo of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), the jeweler's mark, and that of the hallmarking center. During the process of hallmarking, each piece of gold or silver is assigned a 6-digit alphanumeric code or HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification). Download the BIS Care app on your phone and enter this code using the verify HUID icon on the app. This will help you test the veracity of your purchased gold.

Gold continues to shine bright on Dhanteras, but should you participate in the glitter?

Just as India gears up to celebrate Dhanteras tomorrow, in some good news for Indians, <keyword id="19910265" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-prices" source="keywords">gold prices</keyword> today witnessed a dip of about Rs 10, with 24-carat gold currently valued at Rs 8,045.3/gram and 22-carat gold at Rs 7,376.3/gram. As per the <keyword id="23632186" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="All-India-Sarafa-Association" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="All India Sarafa Association" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="All India Sarafa Association">All India Sarafa Association</keyword>, gold prices fell by Rs 400 to Rs 81,100/10 grams in Delhi today. However, silver remained flat at Rs 99,500 per kg. Meanwhile, gold of 99.55 purity declined Rs 400 to Rs 80,700 per 10 grams on Monday. The value of gold as a symbol of wealth and prosperity in our culture is no secret, which is why Indians look forward to buying it on auspicious, festive occasions like Dhanteras. Moreover, with the wedding season setting in, the demand for gold is only set to increase in the months to come. At 24%, the yellow metal's annual return in 2024 has been nothing less than glittering. Compare this with the 14.88% returns gold delivered in 2023. The last time gold returns skyrocketed was at the peak of the pandemic, i.e., in 2019-2020, when gold's annual yields were at 24.45% and 28.24%, respectively. In 2024, gold's demand as a safe investment avenue has only skyrocketed. <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">Geopolitical tensions</keyword> and inflationary pressures have pushed not just individual investors but even central banks to make a beeline for the yellow metal. During the second half of this year, India's RBI and Poland's National Bank were among the largest buyers of gold. Per a report by <keyword id="20046776" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Religare-Broking" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Religare Broking" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Religare Broking">Religare Broking</keyword>, global official reserves of gold burgeoned by 290 metric tons during the first quarter of 2024. The momentum continued well into the second quarter as well, with global central bank gold purchases jumping by 6% to 183 tons during this period. "We continue to believe that gold has further upside potential wherein any dips could present buying opportunities. According to our recent quarterly report, a correction of 5-7% is plausible and could serve as an accumulation zone," note experts at Motilal Oswal Financial Services. <h2>Returns-wise, how has gold performed?</h2> Data from CapitalMind PMS suggests that between 2000 and 2024, gold has outperformed Nifty and silver in about 7 years. Nifty has been a clear winner overall, outpacing gold and silver in 12 out of 25 years in review. Silver only managed to inch past gold and Nifty in just 6 years. Per data, gold returns peaked at 29.9% in 2011, largely on the back of global financial uncertainty. Years where gold has delivered 20%+ returns <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.6em; box-shadow: none; width: 468pt; font-family: Merriweather; table-layout: fixed; padding-bottom: 10px !important; background-image: inherit !important; background-position: inherit !important; background-size: inherit !important; background-repeat: inherit !important; background-attachment: inherit !important; background-origin: inherit !important; background-clip: inherit !important;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Year </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Gold Returns (in %) </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Nifty Returns (in%) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2002 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">24.1 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">5.3 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2008 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">24.5 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">-51.3 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2009 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">24.9 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">77.5 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2010 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">21.7 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">19.2 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2011 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">29.9 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">-23.8 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2019 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">22.9 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">13.5 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2020 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">27 </td><td style="border-width: 1pt; border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5pt; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: top; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word;">16.1 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: CapitalMind PMS Not just in India, gold has delivered returns exceeding domestic equity markets in most emerging countries like Turkey and Argentina. Per the DSP Netra October report, over the last 26 years, equity markets in Turkey have delivered 21.2% returns, as opposed to gold, which has generated 29.3% returns during the same period. Similarly, in Argentina, equity markets have delivered 38.4% returns, while gold saw 44.3% returns in the same time frame. <h2>Stay put for Silver</h2> However, if experts at Motilal Oswal Financial Services are to be believed, the performance of silver could either match or outperform gold in the medium to long term, as <keyword id="20762025" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="silver-prices" source="keywords">silver prices</keyword> are expected to reach Rs 1,25,000 per kilogram on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) and USD 40 per ounce on the COMEX within the next 12 to 15 months. In fact, even the YTD (yield to date) for silver is higher at 31.1% as compared to gold, which stands at 22.6%. However, do not go overboard with silver allocation in your portfolio.

Ahead of Dhanteras 2024, how has gold glittered so far this year?

<keyword id="20762025" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="silver-prices" source="keywords">Silver prices</keyword> have reached a significant milestone on Monday, touching Rs 1,00,000 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) for the March contract. According to the experts, this surge is being driven by escalating <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> in the Middle East, actions by China, and uncertainties related to the upcoming U.S. elections. These global risks are pushing silver prices to fresh all-time highs, as investors seek <keyword id="21286754" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="safe-haven-assets" source="keywords">safe-haven assets</keyword> amidst the growing instability. "Silver prices have aligned with expectations, and we anticipate a potential rally towards the usd 40 mark in the next six months. <keyword id="23623786" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MCX-March-contract" source="keywords">MCX March contract</keyword> silver tested Rs 1 lakh, as geopolitical tensions are expected to continue supporting its safe-haven appeal. Additionally, high ETF investments and China's economic support contribute to a positive outlook. With <keyword id="23623788" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-silver-ratio" source="keywords">GOLD SILVER RATIO</keyword> dropping towards the 80 level, it is likely to outperform gold. We expect silver to reach Rs 1.3 lakh by March 2025" said Ajay Kedia, Director of <keyword id="23623787" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kedia-Advisory" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Kedia Advisory" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Kedia Advisory">Kedia Advisory</keyword>. Silver remains strong in the market, with industrial demand expected to further boost prices. Analysts predict that silver could soon approach the USD 40 mark, as demand continues to rise. The metal plays a key role in industries such as electronics, solar energy, and manufacturing, making it highly sought after for both investment and practical purposes. In the commodity markets, contracts refer to agreements to buy or sell a specific quantity of a commodity at a predetermined price on a future date. These contracts are standardized and traded on exchanges like MCX. Traders use them to hedge against price fluctuations or to speculate on price movements. For instance, in the case of silver, the March contract represents an agreement to trade silver at a fixed price in March, allowing traders to lock in prices now to avoid future volatility. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and global risks are driving the prices of commodities like silver, as investors look for stability in uncertain times. The surge in silver prices reflects both the increasing demand for industrial use and its value as a safe-haven asset. With the global outlook remaining uncertain, silver could see further gains in the coming months.

Silver touches Rs 1 lakh mark on MCX march contract

Earlier today, RBIs MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) decided to leave the <keyword id="20094323" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="repo-rate" source="keywords">repo rate</keyword> unchanged at 6.5%, while changing the policy stance toward neutral. The aim, as <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="RBI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="RBI">RBI</keyword> maintained, was to strike a balance between taming domestic <keyword id="19895000" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inflation" source="keywords">inflation</keyword> and maintaining target growth. A neutral stance gives the RBI the flexibility to adjust <keyword id="19950650" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rates" source="keywords">interest rates</keyword> based on the direction of inflation, as opposed to its previous stand of withdrawing accommodation, which eliminates any possibility of rate cuts. While a change of stance doesn’t necessarily mean a cut should follow, most experts view this as a prelude to a possible rate cut in December this year, or even February next year. Says Deepak Ramaraju, Senior Fund Manager, Shriram AMC, "The RBI stance has changed to neutral, indicating that its primary focus is to balance growth and inflation. Growth has been resilient and given the short-term pressure on inflation, RBI may continue to hold interest rates unchanged in Q3 FY 2025. Based on inflation moderating below 4.5% and course of geo-political concerns, the RBI may undertake a rate cut decision in Q4 FY 2025". So, what does this mean for your investments? How will this decision impact your existing funds? We take a look. <h2>Good time to invest in high-yield deposits</h2>This is a good time to invest in high-yield <keyword id="19975805" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fixed-deposits" source="keywords">fixed deposits</keyword> and long-term bonds. That's because with rate cuts imminent in the upcoming quarters, you'd be able to lock-in your funds with the prevailing, relatively higher interest rate right now. As for the yellow metal or gold, it is generally considered a safe haven asset during turbulent market times. That's why you should consider making it a part of your investments, or increasing its weightage in your overall portfolio, depending on your needs. Vijay Kuppa, CEO, InCred Money highlights that with deposit rates at elevated levels, one has an ideal opportunity for locking in high-yield fixed deposits."At the same time, high borrowing costs also make a compelling case for increasing debt allocations in investment portfolios, which offer a buffer against potential equity market corrections, which might occur due to <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword>", he continues. With the chronic crisis in Middle-East flaring up again, as Israel looks to target Lebanon and Iran, you can expect some volatility and downturns in the <keyword id="19949641" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="equity-markets" source="keywords">equity markets</keyword>, both in India and globally, in the times to come. Over the last 5 days, Sensex has dipped by over 1,900 points, or about 2.38%, and Nifty has also gone down by 2.23%. With this set to continue for some time, you can reconsider and evaluate your investments in debt. Mahendra Kumar Jajoo, CIO – Fixed Income, Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) explains that the market is confident of a rate cut in the times to come, and that the <keyword id="20066775" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bond-market" source="keywords">bond market</keyword> has already started pricing in the same. "We have already seen some of this already, with 10Y GOI yields at around 6.75%, having already eased significantly in last few months. So, if investors wait for rate cut to invest, it may be too late for them. Also, with corporate credit picking up, investing in corporate bond funds for a period of 3-5 years can also serve the investor well. Investors having a long term investment horizon and appropriate risk appetite can also invest in gilt funds", he continues. <h2>Dont exit the markets yet </h2>Though short-term biases of FII may continue towards Chinese markets keeping pressure on the equity markets, the resilient domestic flows can defy deep corrections in the equity markets despite high valuations. The markets may trend positive with subsequent rate cuts by the US Fed later this year. Hence, it wont be advisable to completely exit the equity markets during these times, notes Avnish Jain, Head - Fixed Income, Canara Robeco Mutual Fund Jain advises to take a buy on dips approach towards the stock markets i.e. adding quality stocks to your portfolio during times of market downturn. Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities says that the current market texture is volatile, hence level based trading would be the ideal strategy for the day traders. "For the bulls now, 25,050/81,700 would be the key level to watch out. Above the same market could retest the level of 25,200-25,225/82,000-82,300. On the flip side, 24,900/81,200 would be the key support zone for the traders. Below the same, the selling pressure is likely to accelerate. Below the same, market could slip till 24,800-24,780/81,000-80,700", explains Chouhan. <h2>Time to buy a home? Maybe! </h2>No rate cut can spell some good news for homebuyers who are looking to get their hands on real estate during the festive season. Even as home loan rates remain steady as of now, homebuyers may have to wait until December or beyond to get any tangible relief in their home loan EMIs. Vimal Nadar, Head of Research, Colliers India explains that a change in stance from “withdrawal of accommodation” to “neutral” indicates its clear direction for a possible reduction in interest rates in the foreseeable future. This ongoing stability in repo rate should provide a significant thrust to residential real estate during these festive months as home loan interest rates are likely to remain steady. "Typically, Q4, marked by higher inclination of homebuyers to wrap-up property purchases during the auspicious period combined with instantaneous liquidity benefit aided by developers offering attractive discounts, has historically provided the final push to housing sales across the major markets in the country", he added.

RBI leaves repo rate unchanged. What does this mean for you?

Tensions in Middle-East are rapidly inching closer to their zenith, with Iran firing about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel late yesterday night. In response today, the Indian markets witnessed their worst decline in two months, with Sensex dipping around 1,769 points, or 2.1% to close at 82,497.10. <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> followed suit and was also down by 2.1% to close the day at 25,250.10. As a result, about Rs 11 lakh crore were wiped off the market today. The decline was broad-based, with sectors like realty (dipped by over 4%) auto, and energy suffering the most. Broader indices also fell, losing nearly 2% each. The Hang Seng index, which had rallied over 14% during the last week, largely on the back of various stimulus measures announced by the central bank to stir consumption in the Chinese economy, also slumped around 1.47%. With the possibility of an all-out war between Iran and Israel looming on the horizon, threatening to happen sooner than later, markets are expected to remain volatile in near future. Even the India VIX, seen as a gauge of uncertainty and investor fear in the market, jumped over 9% during the day. The war could throw a huge spanner on India's crude oil import plans. As of August 2024, about 44.6% of India's crude oil imports came from <keyword id="19904316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="middle-east" source="keywords">Middle East</keyword>. Israel has already promised significant retaliation, in response to Iran's attack in the days to come. And the strong possibility of a full-blown Israeli attack in Middle East, particularly major oil fields in Iran has sent the crude oil prices surging. Closer home, ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) was amongst the biggest gainers on NSE today. <h2>Should Indian investors worry? </h2>But is the impending action in Middle-East the only reason behind today's drastic fall? Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, AVP, Research &amp; Advisory at Master Capital Services notes that while it plays a significant role, other factors are also at play. "Recent regulatory changes in the F&amp;O segment by SEBI is expected to impact trading volumes, as retail participation may decline due to the increased contract size and limits on weekly expiries. Meanwhile, strength in the Chinese market, following the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) stimulus package, has also diverted foreign investment to China, where valuations remain more attractive compared to India", he noted. But Upadhyay believes that the extension of losses in Indian markets wont last long. "From a technical perspective, as long as prices hold above the 25,250–25,100 zone, any decline could present an opportunity to build fresh long positions. A stock-specific approach is advisable, with sectors such as Oil, IT, PSU Banks, Metals, and Chemicals likely to outperform in the coming days", he adds. Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities observes that as long as market is trading below 25,365/82,800, the weak sentiment is likely to continue. On the down side, it could slip till 25,150-25,025/82,200-82,000 as well. On the other side, one quick technical pullback is likely if the market succeeds to trade above 25,365/82,800. Above the same, it could bounce back till 25,475-25,500/83,100-83,300. The current market texture is volatile hence; level based trading would be the ideal strategy for the day traders. <h2><keyword id="20760178" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-fund-investors" source="keywords">Mutual fund investors</keyword>, stay put</h2>In the aftermath of a <keyword id="19968045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="market-correction" source="keywords">market correction</keyword>, most mutual fund investors often face a critical decision- should they stop their SIPs (<keyword id="21047553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Systematic-Investment-Plans" source="keywords">Systematic Investment Plans</keyword>) or to view the downturn as a valuable opportunity to acquire more mutual fund units? By continuing SIPs during such downturns, investors can take advantage of 'rupee-cost averaging,' i.e. accumulating more units when prices are down. This approach not only lowers the average cost per unit, but also positions the portfolio for greater returns when the market eventually recovers, and softens the impact of short-term volatility. Swapnil Aggarwal, Director, VSRK Capital explains that alongside maintaining regular investments, revisiting your asset allocation is also essential in these turbulent times. A well-diversified portfolio, that balances equities with safer assets like bonds can withstand market fluctuations more effectively. You can consider shifting some investments into bond funds or other stable instruments, which can provide a cushion against further declines. <h2>What happens next? </h2>While the immediate impact of a market correction may lead to declines in the NAV (Net Asset Value) of mutual funds, disciplined investors can view this as a moment to reassess their strategies. Focusing on your <keyword id="20908416" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="long-term-financial-goals" source="keywords">long-term financial goals</keyword> will let you turn market volatility into opportunity! The market will remain keenly focused on the evolving situation in the Middle East. What will also be equally important are the US monthly jobs data due tomorrow, which could determine the size of Fed's next interest rate move in November.

Nifty, Sensex in freefall today as Iran mounts attack on Israel. Here's what experts think you should do

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Gold reached reached a new-all time high on Friday, topping $2,700 for the first time.</li><li>The safe-haven asset is attracting interest after the death of a top Hamas leader.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/gold-price?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">Gold</a> hit another record high amid simmering geopolitical unease in the Middle East.Futures climbed as much as 1% to $2,720 an ounce on Friday as the death of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-says-killed-hamas-chief-yahya-sinwar-oct-7-mastermind-2024-10">Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar</a> late Thursday spurred renewed concerns of further geopolitical tension.According to <a target="_blank" href="https://think.ing.com/articles/the-commodities-feed-gold-hits-another-record-high/">analysts at ING</a>, gold investors were responding to Israel's pledge to continue fighting, rather than de-escalate, per President Joe Biden's recommendation. They've treated the precious metal as a geopolitical safe haven all year, ING said."Traders are seeking safety in gold this morning after Israel said it killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would keep fighting until all the hostages seized by Hamas last year are free, even though US President Joe Biden said it was time for the war to end," the analysts wrote.Meanwhile, Hezbollah committed to continue fighting after Sinwar's killing, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-says-it-will-escalate-war-with-israel-after-hamas-leader-killed-2024-10-18/">Reuters</a> said. Iran, which backs several proxies in the region, issued a UN mission statement citing a strengthened "spirit of resistance."FXPro senior market analyst Alex Kutsikevich noted that the metal's 2% increase this week is abnormal because it's risen alongside the dollar, even though the two assets are normally inversely correlated.He said gold and the dollar only rise together when there's a sudden spike in demand for defensive assets — something that generally occurs geopolitical stress.Macroeconomic conditions are also at play as investors watch to see how far interest rates may fall. Gold, which does not yield interest, benefits when borrowing costs are lower. Other factors include strong central bank buying, as well as robust demand in Asia, ING added.

Gold climbs to record high as Hamas-leader death stokes geopolitical tensions

Post the Fed's 50 basis point interest rate cut in September, the yellow metal has been scaling record highs every day. And per a recent <keyword id="22362020" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UBS-report" source="keywords">UBS report</keyword>, its glitter is not going down anytime soon, with gold potentially touching $2,750 by the end of this year, and as much as $2,900 by the third quarter of 2025. Treasury yields, or interest rates have always had an inverse relationship with gold, which is why the metal's demand witnesses a notable uptick, every time the Fed slashes rates. This is because an interest rate cut reduces the yields i.e. returns that investors earn by way of having funds in government treasury bonds. As a result, investors tend to withdraw their money, weakening the dollar, thereby making the yellow metal a lucrative investment option. Going ahead, the markets are anticipating that the Fed will further bring down interest rates again, by around 75-100 basis points by the end of this year. As the CME FedWatch Tool indicates, there is now a 62.2% chance that the Fed will cut down interest rates by another 50 basis point during its meeting in November. This is also why <keyword id="19910265" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-prices" source="keywords">gold prices</keyword> have been seeing a healthy growth in both domestic and international markets. According to a report by Angel One, the demand of safe-haven gold is only set to go up in the months to come. Apart from Fed's rate cuts and the upcoming <keyword id="20585365" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-elections" source="keywords">US elections</keyword>, there are tensions brewing globally on the geo-political front, with militant group Hezbollah's leader <keyword id="22445260" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sayyed-hassan-nasrallah" source="keywords">Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah</keyword> killed in a powerful airstrike in Beirut. This has dealt a heavy blow to the Iran-backed group, as it reels from an escalating campaign of Israeli attacks. "In such times, zero-yield bullion tends to be a preferred investment, more likely so in a low-interest rate environment and also, during geopolitical turmoil", the note added. <h2>Momentum set to continue </h2>The bullion recently touched an all-time high price of $2,670 on September 24th, 2024, and has rallied as much as 10% during the past 6 months. Closer home, we are approaching the festive season, as India gears up to celebrate festivals like Diwali (Dhanteras) and Akshaya Tritiya in October. These have long been associated with heightened gold purchases in the country. Particularly, Dhanteras sees a surge in gold buying as it is considered an auspicious time to acquire new assets, majorly gold. As the UBS report states, "the metal's current elevated starting point provides increased scope for gains in the coming months, particularly as ETF demand accelerates. We recommend gold as a strategic hedge within a diversified portfolio, suggesting a 5% allocation to the precious metal". Alekh Yadav, Head of Investment Products at Sanctum Wealth, also advises making some allocation to gold in your portfolio, since gold has a negative correlation with equities; whenever equity markets correct, gold typically performs better. Given that US markets are currently at elevated valuations, gold can serve as a hedge against potential global equity corrections, he explains. "In conclusion, we believe that some allocation to gold, even at current levels, makes sense as a hedge against global risks", he continues. As a thumb rule, you should always have anywhere between 5-10% allocation to gold via digital gold, gold bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) etc., since it serves as an effective hedge against inflation, and declining yields. Note that your allocation to gold should not be arbitrary or as a lumpsum, but rather in sync with your overall financial goals, and also, should be increased gradually, via SIPs. However, during prevailing economic conditions, increasing your investments in gold might not be a bad idea as well. But remember to consult with your financial planner over this. Over-investing in gold is also not advisable, since the asset class does not generate high-returns, which means a significant potion of your money could be stuck in a non-yield generating asset, when it could have been in equities or other assets, which generate comparatively more returns.

Is this a good time to invest in gold? Here's what experts are saying

<keyword id="19910265" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gold-prices" source="keywords">Gold prices</keyword> surged to a historic high on Tuesday, September 24, as global economic conditions and <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> pushed the precious metal to new levels, a CNBC report said. The spot price of gold rose to an unprecedented $2,638.37 per ounce during the day’s trading, while US <keyword id="20942333" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-futures" source="keywords">gold futures</keyword> also spiked, reaching $2,661.60. In India, the cost of <keyword id="21271046" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24-carat-gold" source="keywords">24-carat gold</keyword> climbed sharply, hitting ₹76,330 per 10 grams, marking an ongoing upward trend that analysts suggest could see prices nearing ₹78,000 per 10 grams in the coming weeks. <h2>Gold prices today</h2> While the prices of gold hit their <keyword id="19953076" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="record-high" source="keywords">record high</keyword> yesterday (September 24), today (September 25) the prices remained around Rs 76,000 per 10 grams. The price of 24-carat gold, recognised for its exceptional purity, was set at ₹76,370 per 10 grams. Meanwhile, 22-carat gold, commonly used in jewellery for its added durability from alloy mixing, was available at ₹70,010 per 10 grams. Here are the gold prices in some major cities of India today: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">City </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">22 Carat Gold Rate Today </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">24 Carat Gold Rate Today </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Delhi </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,160 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,520 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mumbai </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,010 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,370 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Ahmedabad </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,060 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,420 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chennai </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,010 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,370 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Kolkata </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,010 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,370 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Gurugram </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">70,160 </td><td style="border-left:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-right:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-bottom:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;border-top:solid #cdcdcd 0.75pt;vertical-align:top;padding:8pt 4pt 8pt 4pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76,520 </td></tr></tbody></table> <h2>Gold prices touch record-high, analysts react </h2> Industry experts are optimistic that gold prices will continue their upward trajectory. As per a CNBC report, Colin Shah, Managing Director of <keyword id="20237409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kama-Jewelry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Kama Jewelry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Kama Jewelry">Kama Jewelry</keyword>, predicts that the global price of gold could reach as high as $3,000 per ounce in the medium to long term. Shah attributed the ongoing rally to favourable global conditions, including the anticipated rate cuts by the <keyword id="19901377" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Federal-Reserve" source="keywords">US Federal Reserve</keyword>. He also expected that in India, the price of gold will surpass ₹78,000 per 10 grams during the upcoming festive period. On the other hand, Kaynat Chainwala, AVP-Commodity Research at Kotak Securities, observed that COMEX gold surged to $2,689.40 per ounce due to a sharp decline in US consumer confidence, which increased the likelihood of aggressive rate cuts by the <keyword id="19904332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="federal-reserve" source="keywords">Federal Reserve</keyword>. "COMEX gold surged to $2,689.40 per ounce yesterday as a significant drop in US consumer confidence heightened expectations for aggressive interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The US Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell sharply in September to 98.7, down from 105.6 in August, its largest decline in three years. Concerns over the labor market, combined with lower US Treasury yields and the US dollar nearing a 14-month low, further fueled the rise in gold prices. Additionally, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman highlighted persistent inflation risks and advocated for a cautious approach to rate cuts to avoid reigniting inflation. Today, COMEX gold prices reached a record high of $2,694.89 per ounce, and expected to hold gains as the CME FedWatch Tool now indicates a 62.2% chance of a 50 basis point cut in November, up from just 29% a week ago. Ongoing fears of an escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict are likely to enhance gold's appeal as a safe-haven asset," Chainwala said. Saish Sandeep Sawant Dessai, a base metals analyst at Angel One Ltd., noted that bullion prices climbed during yesterday's trading session, driven by momentum from the US Federal Reserve's bold rate cut and expectations of further reductions. "In yesterday’s trading session, the bullion prices traded higher as traders embraced the momentum generated by the U.S. Federal Reserve's bold interest rate cut and signs that further reductions were on the horizon. "The Fed policymakers said their large half-point rate cut last week was meant to try to sustain what they see as an emerging and healthy balance in the economy. Chicago Fed Bank President Austan Goolsbee said there are "lots of cuts" to come over the next 12 months, while Fed President Neel Kashkari noted that the actual path would depend on incoming data. Fed futures traders have priced in 75 basis points in rate cuts by the end of 2024, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. "Zero-yield bullion tends to be a preferred investment in a low interest rate environment and during geopolitical turmoil. On the geopolitical front, Hezbollah devices explode again in Lebanon on Wednesday, stoking tensions of wider conflict after similar explosions of the group's pagers the day before. This boosted the demand for safe haven gold," Dessai said.

Gold prices hit record high, could reach ₹78,000 per 10 grams in coming weeks

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Energy traders' attention is divided between Middle East tensions and China's stimulus, Dan Yergin says.</li><li>"You see the oil price oscillating between the two of those," Yergin says.</li></ul>Energy traders' attention is split between two forces with the potential to impact prices, energy expert Dan Yergin says. Yergin said Tuesday that traders are looking to China for signs of future demand while also bracing for disruptions amid ongoing geopolitical issues in the Middle East."I think right now the energy markets are really schizophrenic," Yergin told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/10/22/the-energy-markets-are-schizophrenic-right-now-sp-global-vice-chairman.html">CNBC in an interview</a>.Yergin, vice chairman of S&amp;P Global, says the market's focus is two-sided, switching between potentially promising stimulus in China and rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East. "You see the oil price oscillating between the two of those," Yergin said.On the one hand is China, which for the last two decades has made up half of the growth in world oil demand. That's been challenged in recent years as the country faces a sluggish economy and weak consumer demand. Measures rolled out after the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-aggressive-monetary-stimulus-interest-rate-rrr-2024-9">initial stimulus announcement</a> last month have helped China's prospects of getting out of its slump, he says."There does seem to be a little more confidence now that wasn't there at the beginning about the Chinese stimulus measures, that they may actually have an appreciable impact on economic activity and demand," Yergin said.The most recent measures from Beijing include <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-economy-3q-gdp-growth-stock-market-stimulus-2024-10">funding programs</a> that will inject as much as 800 billion Chinese yuan, or $112.6 billion, into its stock market, as well as a series of interest rate cuts.On the other hand, the market is also focused on uncertainty about the conflict in the Middle East, and if the war will actually impact oil infrastructure in the region, Yergin says.He says that's especially true after last week when Israel <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-killed-yahya-sinwar-thanks-luck-persistence-hamas-gaza-war-2024-10">killed its top target</a>, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. "I think it's even more dangerous, because, of course, it's really a waiting period. When will the Israeli retaliation against Iran occur, is it tomorrow? The next day? Is it after the presidential election? That part is unclear, and Iran has threatened to retaliate again," Yergin said.Yergin says the market is stuck in a state of "wait and see" as it assesses how the war could disrupt oil infrastructure. He adds that while the conflict was previously a proxy war, it could now become a direct conflict, raising the stakes even higher for the Middle East's oil market.As a result of these two forces, and with traders waiting to see which could have a greater impact on supply and demand dynamics, the oil market is in a holding pattern. Prices have seesawed between the low $70 level and around $80 as traders react to new developments. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, was trading about 1% lower on Wednesday at $75.30.

Energy markets are 'schizophrenic' amid rising geopolitical tensions and China's stimulus, energy expert says

The <keyword id="19949639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rupee" source="keywords">rupee</keyword> traded in a narrow range to settle 2 paise higher at 83.95 (provisional) against the American currency on Wednesday, helped by a sharp decline in the <keyword id="19949640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Dollar" source="keywords">US Dollar</keyword> against major currencies overseas. <keyword id="20024982" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="forex-traders" source="keywords">Forex traders</keyword> said a mixed-to-positive tone in the domestic market also supported the rupee. However, foreign fund outflows and <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> in the <keyword id="19904316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Middle-East" source="keywords">Middle East</keyword> restricted the rise in the local unit. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.90 but soon fell into the negative zone and touched an intra-day low of 83.97 against the American currency. The domestic unit finally settled at 83.95 (provisional) against the American currency, 2 paise higher from its previous close. On Tuesday, the rupee settled for the day on a flat note at 83.97 against the US dollar. "We expect the rupee to trade with a slight negative bias on elevated commodity prices and heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. "However, the weak Dollar and rising odds of a rate cut by the US Fed may support the rupee. Positive global markets may also support the rupee at lower levels," said Anuj Choudhary - Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas. Choudhary further noted that traders may take cues from US CPI data today. "USD/INR spot price is expected to trade in a range of Rs 83.75 to Rs 84.20," it added. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.13 per cent lower at 102.42. Forex traders said the US dollar has weakened against majors post the US Producer Price Index (PPI) print, which came in softer than anticipated, leaving the Dollar Index vulnerable to further correction. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, advanced 0.28 per cent to USD 80.92 per barrel. On the domestic equity market front, Sensex advanced 149.85 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 79,105.88 points. The Nifty rose 4.75 points, or 0.02 per cent, to 24,143.75 points. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Tuesday, as they offloaded shares worth Rs 2,107.17 crore, according to exchange data. On the domestic macroeconomic front, wholesale inflation fell to a 3-month low of 2.04 per cent in July on the decline in prices of food items especially vegetables, government data released on Wednesday showed. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/google-pixel-9-pro-fold-launched-in-india-at-172999-but-you-cant-get-your-hands-on-it-right-now/articleshow/112517193.cms">Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold launched in India at ₹1,72,999, but you can’t get your hands on it right now</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pixel-9-pixel-9-pro-and-pixel-9-pro-xl-launched-in-india-starting-at-79999/articleshow/112512198.cms">Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL launched in India starting at ₹79,999</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/ipo-scam-two-victims-from-hyderabad-lose-over-11crore-in-fake-ipo-scams/articleshow/112488051.cms">IPO scam – Two victims from Hyderabad lose over ₹11 crore in fake IPO scams</a>

Rupee rises 2 paise to close at 83.95 against US dollar

Boost in domestic <keyword id="19914449" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="manufacturing" source="keywords">manufacturing</keyword> due to PLI (production linked incentive) schemes and increase in <keyword id="19916774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exports" source="keywords">exports</keyword> on account of free trade agreements are expected to bridge the country's <keyword id="20201391" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="trade-deficit" source="keywords">trade deficit</keyword> further, <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economic-Survey" source="keywords">Economic Survey</keyword> said on Monday. However, it said that fluctuations in <keyword id="19936629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="commodity-prices" source="keywords">commodity prices</keyword>, especially for critical imports like oil, metals, and agricultural products, can impact India's trade balance and inflation levels. The Survey said that though ongoing geopolitical headwinds impacted India's merchandise exports, lowering international commodity prices ensured a lower trade deficit in FY24 than in FY23. The country's merchandise trade deficit narrowed to USD 240 billion in 2023-24 from USD 265 billion in 2022-23. It added that changes in trade policies by major trading partners or geopolitical developments can affect India's export opportunities and market access. "In the coming years, India's trade deficit is expected to decline further as the <keyword id="19981334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PLI-scheme" source="keywords">PLI scheme</keyword> is expanded and India creates a globally competitive manufacturing base in several product categories," the Survey said. It added that the recently signed FTAs (free trade agreements) are expected to increase the <keyword id="22374533" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-market-share" source="keywords">global market share</keyword> of the country's exports. The PLI scheme for sectors like mobile manufacturing, information technology (IT) hardware, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, and food product are helping to increase manufacturing and cut imports. India has implemented <keyword id="20000557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FTA" source="keywords">FTA</keyword> with Mauritius, Australia and the UAE. It added that a narrowing merchandise trade deficit and rising service exports have improved the CAD (<keyword id="20054874" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="current-account-deficit" source="keywords">current account deficit</keyword>), ending with a surplus of 0.6 per cent of GDP in Q4 of FY24. However, the risks to the performance of India's external sector are on the downside due to the persistence of current <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> and policy uncertainty, it said. Some of the challenges listed by the survey includes fall in demand from major trading partners like the US, rise in trade cost, and volatility in commodity prices. Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and drought in the Panama Canal have resulted in trade flows being re-routed, increasing journey time and costs. India's merchandise trade relies heavily on maritime trade, so disturbances in major shipping routes can impact its economy. "It is critical to explore what these changing paradigms mean for India. Policies need to be a mix that straddles security concerns with economic considerations," the survey said, adding India's push towards manufacturing in complex and niche sectors through schemes such as PLI and Make in India aims to balance these goals. Further, the survey emphasised on the need to focus on improving India's competitiveness in many product areas. For example, it said, India has tremendous potential in becoming a large global exporter in agricultural commodities. Fostering stronger regional trade ties and adding more markets for Indian goods will help mitigate global demand fluctuations. "In an era when global economic growth is likely to be buffeted by geopolitical tensions and protectionism, growing India's exports of goods and services will be a stiffer challenge than before," it cautioned. Commenting on this, Rumki Majumdar, Economist, Deloitte India, said that despite global uncertainties, India's exports are recording positive growth rates. "That shows the resilience of our exports amidst global uncertainties," she said, adding, "by transforming our export basket and focusing on higher margins and value addition across various sectors, India will easily achieve its ambition of USD 2 trillion in exports by 2030-31."

India's trade deficit expected to decline further: Economic Survey

Amid the ongoing geopolitical tension, the <keyword id="19904988" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-sector" source="keywords">energy sector</keyword> will continue to face challenge while the <keyword id="20468174" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-goods" source="keywords">consumer goods</keyword>, automotive, healthcare is set to expand in 2025, highlighted a report 'Industry Outlook 2025' by <keyword id="20618515" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economist-Intelligence-Unit" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Economist Intelligence Unit" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Economist Intelligence Unit">Economist Intelligence Unit</keyword>. The report noted that the Fossil fuel markets will continue to face risks from geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, investments in <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> will remain strong, especially in China, as the world pushes toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The report said "Fossil-fuel markets will continue to face <keyword id="20064250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-risks" source="keywords">geopolitical risks</keyword> amid conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but investment into renewables will remain strong, particularly in China." It also added that the financial sector faces a mixed outlook with falling interest rates anticipated to narrow bank profit margins, potentially leading to smaller dividend payouts for shareholders. Yet, regulatory easing could provide relief, with the Basel III endgame likely seeing further delays, softening the impact on banking institutions amid a challenging economic landscape. For the consumer goods and retailing the report added that the Global retail volumes are forecast to grow by 2.2 per cent in 2025, thanks to easing inflation. However, stricter regulations on online retailing will target high-volume, low-price retailers, to ensure fair competition and consumer protection. It said "Global retail volumes will expand by 2.2 per cent, helped by disinflation, but regulations around online retailing will tighten further" As per report, the <keyword id="20359760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automotive-sector" source="keywords">automotive sector</keyword> is set for a record year, it said "After a difficult few years, annual new-vehicle sales will reach a record 97.2m units in 2025. This includes a 2 per cent rise in new car sales, a 4 per cent increase in commercial vehicle sales, and a significant 16 per cent growth in <keyword id="19963112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle-sales" source="keywords">electric vehicle sales</keyword>, reflecting the sector's recovery and the shift toward cleaner mobility. In technology the report added more countries will adopt satellite internet, although the primary users will be enterprise clients, including military and maritime sectors. Amazon's Project Kuiper will challenge the existing market dominance of Starlink and EutelSat OneWeb, offering more competition and potential growth in satellite connectivity. The resulting tensions will continue to affect investment into production and market entry, with companies taking advantage of government incentives to build out more flexible supply chains. <keyword id="23684177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-in-technology" source="keywords">Investment in technology</keyword>, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), will also be strong as projects gather pace. However, technology companies will face pressure from several directions as regulations tighten (particularly in Europe), investors become more impatient for profits and their energy usage comes under more scrutiny.

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