New Delhi, February 16, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran) — Gold and silver prices declined sharply in morning trade on Monday, with silver registering a fall of more than 3 per cent on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX).
On the MCX, gold April futures slipped nearly 1 per cent to Rs 1,54,743 per 10 grams. Silver March futures dropped over 3 per cent to Rs 2,36,100 per kilogram.
The decline comes after a strong rally in the previous session, when gold had surged around 2 per cent. Analysts attributed the fall mainly to profit booking by investors. A firm US dollar also weighed on precious metal prices.
Dollar Strength Pressures Metals
The dollar index rose 0.10 per cent to the 97 level, making dollar-denominated gold more expensive for buyers holding other currencies. The rise in the dollar followed the release of US inflation data for January.
According to data released by the US Labour Department, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.2 per cent in January, compared to a 0.3 per cent rise in December. On an annual basis, inflation eased to 2.4 per cent from 2.7 per cent in the previous month.
Market participants believe the data may influence expectations regarding interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve in its March policy meeting. There are expectations that the Federal Reserve could reduce interest rates at least twice in the second half of this year.
International Market Update
In the international market, spot gold fell 0.4 per cent to USD 5,020.10 per ounce after rising 2.5 per cent in the previous session. US gold futures for April delivery slipped 0.1 per cent to USD 5,039.50 per ounce.
Spot silver declined 0.6 per cent to USD 76.92 per ounce, after gaining about 3 per cent on Friday. Other precious metals also saw mixed movement. Spot platinum eased 0.4 per cent to USD 2,054.35 per ounce, while palladium edged up 0.4 per cent to USD 1,692.23 per ounce.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
