Business
Commodities watch: Gold seen climbing on safe-haven buying; silver may correct after record highs – The Times of India
Gold prices are expected to extend their upward trend in the coming week, supported by safe-haven buying and expectations of policy easing by the US Federal Reserve, while silver may see a phase of consolidation after its recent sharp rally, analysts said.According to news agency PTI, market participants will closely track a series of global macroeconomic indicators, including inflation data from major economies, the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, GDP numbers, PMI readings and weekly jobless claims. These data points are expected to offer fresh signals on the future course of US monetary policy.According to Pranav Mer, vice president, EBG – commodity & currency research at JM Financial Services Ltd, investors will also keep an eye on economic data from China, which is particularly important for industrial metals. “Among other developments, US President Donald Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum and the Supreme Court judgement on trade will be most important to watch,” Mer said, as quoted by news agency PTI.On the domestic front, gold futures on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) gained Rs 3,698, or 2.7 per cent, over the past week. Prices touched a record high of Rs 1,43,590 per 10 grams on Wednesday before easing slightly.Mer said gold prices were partly supported by a weaker rupee against the US dollar. However, some gains were trimmed on Friday due to profit-booking and long liquidation. “The risk premium eased following the US President’s softer tone on Iran, better-than-expected jobs data, and a firm dollar,” he added.In overseas markets, gold futures on Comex rose by $94.5, or 2.09 per cent, last week. Prices closed at $4,595.4 per ounce on Friday, after hitting a record of $4,650.50 earlier in the week.Prathamesh Mallya, DVP-Research, Non-Agri Commodities and Currencies at Angel One, said gold gained more than 2 per cent during the week due to geopolitical risks linked to Iran, which boosted demand for safe-haven assets. He noted that expectations of US rate cuts, a weaker dollar, lower treasury yields and continued central bank buying are supporting prices.Mallya expects gold to move towards Rs 1,46,000 per 10 grams on the MCX and around $4,750 per ounce in global markets in the coming week.Silver, meanwhile, witnessed an exceptional rally. On the MCX, prices jumped nearly 14 per cent, or Rs 35,037, over the week, hitting a record high of Rs 2,92,960 per kilogram. In global markets, silver rose $9.2, or 11.6 per cent, to settle at $88.53 per ounce, after touching a lifetime high of $93.75, reported PTI.Mer said silver’s sharp rise continued despite some profit-taking and consolidation towards the end of the week, following reports that the Trump administration would not impose tariffs on critical miners for now. However, he cautioned that the rally could face a correction as prices approach the $100 per ounce level.Vijay Kuppa, CEO of InCred Money, said both gold and silver remain structurally positive, even though near-term volatility cannot be ruled out, as per PTI. He pointed out that central bank gold purchases, strong ETF inflows, geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty continue to support precious metals as portfolio hedges.Kuppa added that silver’s dual role as a precious and industrial metal, backed by demand from technology, renewable energy and electrification, underpins its long-term outlook. He said short-term corrections after a strong rally are a normal part of the price discovery process and do not necessarily alter the broader trend.
Business
Top stocks to buy today: Stock recommendations for April 24, 2026 – check list – The Times of India
Stock market recommendations: Bharat Electronics, and Colgate-Palmolive (India) have been recommended as the top stocks to buy today (April 24, 2026) by Bajaj Broking Research. Take a look at the target prices and expected returns:Bharat ElectronicsBuy in the range of ₹ 440.00-450.00
The stock is in structural up trend forming higher high and higher low in all time frame signaling strength and continuation of the uptrend. The entire up move of the last 8 months is in a rising channel as can be seen in the chart highlighting sustained demand at an elevated level.On the smaller time frame, the stock is at the cusp of generating a breakout above the bullish Flag like formation as post a sharp up move in the first 3 weeks of April the stock went into a consolidation phase in the last four sessions. It is seen resuming up move and is at the cusp of generating a breakout above the bullish Flag formation highlighting continuation of the up move and offers fresh entry opportunity.We expect the stock to extend the up move and head towards 495 levels in the coming months being the confluence of the 123.6% external retracement of the previous decline 473 – 400 and the upper band of the rising channel of the last 8 months.Colgate-Palmolive (India)Buy in the range of 2120-2160
The share price of Colgate-Palmolive has generated a breakout above bullish Flag pattern signaling continuation of the up move and offers fresh entry opportunity.We expect the stock to head higher towards 2330 levels in the coming months being the measuring implication of the bullish flag breakout.The daily 14 periods RSI is in buy mode thus supports the positive bias in the stock.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
Business
Global stock markets are too high and set to fall, says Bank of England deputy
It is unusual for a senior figure at the Bank to be so forthright on market movements.
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Business
Consumer confidence falls as rapid price rises give households the ‘jitters’
Consumer confidence has fallen for the third consecutive month amid household “jitters” over rapid price rises, figures show.
GfK’s long-running consumer confidence index fell four points to minus 25 in April, following falls of two points and three points in March and February respectively.
The deepening concern was driven by perceptions of the UK economy, with a six-point slide in confidence for the next 12 months to minus 43, its lowest level since February 2023.
Confidence in personal finances over the coming year fell five points to minus four – one point lower than this time last year.
The major purchase index – an indicator of confidence in buying big ticket items – held steady, albeit at minus 18 but one point better than last April.
The only measure to improve was the savings index – often an indication that households are concerned about their finances and looking to build contingency funds – which is up five points to 32.
Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK, said: “Consumers really do have the jitters now.
“It is a year since we last saw a monthly drop of this size, and we have to go back to October 2023 to find the last time consumer confidence was lower.
“Everyone is grappling with rapid price rises, especially at the fuel pumps, which are taking a dent out of household budgets, and people know further price hikes are coming.
“Consumer confidence is deteriorating sharply, with fuel prices and threats of more energy price increases acting as constant reminders of inflation.
“While the Gulf crisis is intensifying pressures, much of the current strain reflects earlier domestic cost increases.
“How long can all this disruption and pain continue?”
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