Have Gold Prices Reached New Heights on Dhanteras Due to Festive Demand?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gold prices have reached a new high of Rs 1,30,874.
- Surge in prices attributed to global uncertainties.
- Jewellery sales expected to rise by 12-15%.
- Gold has delivered 63% returns since last Dhanteras.
- Trade tensions are boosting gold demand.
Mumbai, Oct 18 (NationPress) With Diwali just around the corner, the price of gold has soared to a new high, driven by rising global uncertainties such as trade tensions and weakening macroeconomic indicators, leading to a significant flight to safety.
In the previous month, gold prices surged by Rs 20,073 per 10 grams, marking an impressive 18 percent increase, which has created a palpable sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among buyers. Every dip in price has been met with fervent purchasing, especially with Diwali approaching. Compared to last Dhanteras, gold has shown remarkable gains for investors, achieving a record high.
The latest data from the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) indicates that the price for 24-carat gold (10 grams) reached a historic high of Rs 1,30,874 on Friday, although intra-day trading concluded at Rs 129,584 due to the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar.
IBJA reports that bullion prices have been on a steady incline throughout the week, rising by nearly Rs 1,000 daily.
Analysts predict that gold jewellery sales might rise by 12-15 percent this Dhanteras season, with consumers leaning towards lighter, lower-karat designs, investment-quality pieces, hallmark-certified gold coins, digital gold, and sovereign gold bonds.
According to a report from Ventura Securities, the surge in gold prices is fueled by dovish signals from the US Federal Reserve, inflows into ETFs, and purchases by central banks.
Since last Dhanteras, gold has yielded returns of about 63 percent in rupee terms and 53 percent in dollar terms, with projections suggesting a potential rally towards Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams by 2026.
Gold prices have skyrocketed since March 2025, jumping from $3,000 an ounce to around $4,254. In India, prices have risen from Rs 78,840 per 10 grams on Dhanteras 2024 to the current rate of Rs 128,200.
Trade tensions between the United States and China have escalated, particularly after China announced stricter export controls on rare earth metals and magnets. The United States has also imposed an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese imports, compounding the existing 30 percent tariff, which has further increased the demand for gold.