Gold drops 1% on MCX as silver outperforms amid US-Iran tension
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Gold slipped nearly 1 per cent on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on Monday, 5 October, retreating below a key psychological threshold even as silver bucked the trend and posted modest gains, reflecting divergent sentiment in bullion markets shaped by US dollar movements and escalating geopolitical uncertainty.
How Gold and Silver Moved on MCX
Gold futures (December contract) were trading at ₹1,49,184 per 10 grams at around 10 am IST, down ₹1,206 or 0.8 per cent from the previous close. At its intraday low, the yellow metal touched ₹1,48,850 — a slide of as much as ₹1,540 or 1.02 per cent. It had earlier tested an intraday high of ₹1,51,197, up 0.53 per cent, before reversing.
Silver futures (December contract), meanwhile, moved in the opposite direction, hitting an intraday high of ₹2,26,999 per kg — a jump of ₹1,122 or 0.49 per cent. At last count, the white metal was trading at ₹2,26,340 per kg, up ₹463 or 0.2 per cent from its previous close. Both metals opened the session at ₹1,51,197 and ₹2,25,900, respectively.
Technical Outlook: Gold Under Pressure
Commodity analysts note that gold's slip below ₹1,50,000 has now turned that level into an immediate resistance zone. Resistance is seen at ₹1,51,000–₹1,51,600, and then at ₹1,52,500–₹1,53,000. On the downside, support is at ₹1,48,000–₹1,47,300, followed by ₹1,46,000–₹1,45,300.
The technical picture remains cautious, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 43 and the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator in negative territory. According to analysts, a sustained move above ₹1,50,000 is needed to stabilise the contract, while a break below ₹1,48,000 could open the door to ₹1,46,000.
Silver's Relative Strength
Silver is outperforming gold and holding firmly above the ₹2,24,000 support zone, according to commodity analysts. Immediate resistance is seen at ₹2,27,000–₹2,28,000, with the next band at ₹2,31,000–₹2,32,000. A sustained move above ₹2,28,000 could accelerate silver's recovery, while a break below ₹2,24,000 risks a pullback toward ₹2,20,000. The divergence in domestic prices mirrors trends in international markets, where silver has similarly been outperforming gold.
Geopolitical Backdrop: US-Iran Tensions in Focus
Beyond technical signals, geopolitical developments remain a critical driver for bullion markets. US President Donald Trump last week indicated that Washington faced a choice between further military action against Iran and reaching a diplomatic deal with Tehran — remarks that have kept risk sentiment in precious metals elevated. This comes amid broader uncertainty over Middle East stability, which has historically underpinned safe-haven demand for both gold and silver.
With key technical levels in play and geopolitical risk showing no signs of abating, the near-term direction of both metals will likely hinge on fresh developments from Washington and any shift in the US dollar's trajectory.