
Gold and silver prices slipped in early trading on Monday, March 16, as a stronger US dollar and cautious investor sentiment weighed on the precious metals market ahead of key global central bank meetings scheduled this week.
On COMEX, gold futures declined by $56.70, or 1.12%, to $5,005 per ounce. Silver futures also moved lower, falling $1.738, or 2.14%, to $79.605 per ounce.
Investor sentiment remained guarded amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which continue to influence global financial markets and energy prices.
Crude oil prices remained elevated due to escalating hostilities in the Gulf region, adding uncertainty to the global inflation outlook and complicating the monetary policy path for major economies. Brent crude was trading around $103 per barrel, while US crude hovered near $98 per barrel, keeping inflation concerns firmly on policymakers’ radar.
Several major central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are expected to announce their policy decisions later this week. Markets largely anticipate that interest rates will remain unchanged, though investors will closely watch for signals on the future direction of monetary policy.
Despite the short-term decline, analysts believe geopolitical risks could continue to support safe-haven demand for gold in the near term.
Silver, meanwhile, has faced additional pressure due to a correction in industrial metals and the strengthening US dollar, which generally makes precious metals less attractive for investors holding other currencies.
Analysts expect bullion markets to remain volatile in the coming days as investors evaluate geopolitical developments, energy price trends and policy signals from major central banks regarding the outlook for global interest rates.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Mar 16, 2026, 8:42 AM IST

Sachin Gupta
Sachin Gupta is a Content Writer with 6+ years of experience in the stock market, including global markets like the US, Canada, and Australia. At Angel One, Sachin specialises in creating financial content that simplifies complex market trends. Sachin holds a Master's in Commerce, specialising in Economics.
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