In today’s stock market report, the key equity indices concluded the trading session on a positive note. The NSE Nifty 50 ended the day 215.15 points or 1.01% lower, settling at 21,453.95. Simultaneously, the BSE Sensex experienced a dip of 689.76 points or 0.98%, ultimately closing at 71,060.31. Notably, the broader indices displayed a positive trend, with midcap stocks exhibiting the most significant gains. The Bank Nifty index saw a modest increase of 67.35 points or 0.15%, reaching a settlement at 45,082.40.
In the realm of precious metals, both gold and silver witnessed marginal increases in their spot and futures prices on Tuesday. This occurred despite the strengthening of the Dollar Index and U.S. Treasury yields. Sriram Iyer, a senior research analyst at Reliance Securities, highlighted these developments, emphasizing the resilience of gold and silver in the face of these factors.
However, the upward trajectory of these metals faced limitations as investors remained cautious while evaluating the global monetary policy landscape. The Bank of Japan adhered to its ultra-easy monetary settings in an anticipated move, accompanied by a reduction in its inflation forecast for 2024 due to declining oil prices. Looking ahead, the European Central Bank is set to announce its monetary policy decisions later in the week, with expectations that it will resist pressures for interest rate cuts.
According to insights from the CME FedWatch tool, traders have tempered expectations for a rate cut during the March Fed meeting, with probabilities falling below 50%. Turning to the current scenario, international spot prices for gold and silver displayed a flat start in early Asian trade on Wednesday. Investors are closely monitoring upcoming data releases throughout the week for further market cues.