Precious metal prices declined up to 2 per cent in the national capital on Tuesday, with silver slipping to Rs 2.45 lakh per kilogram and gold dropping to Rs 1.57 lakh per 10 grams amid subdued demand and weak global cues.According to the All India Sarafa Association, silver prices fell Rs 5,000, or 2 per cent, to Rs 2,45,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) from Monday’s closing level of Rs 2,50,000 per kg.

Gold falls 1.4% in bullion market

In the bullion market, gold of 99.9 per cent purity depreciated Rs 2,200, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 1,57,000 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). The yellow metal had settled at Rs 1,59,200 per 10 grams in the previous session.“Gold and silver prices fell on Tuesday as low liquidity from Asian market holidays combined with softer US inflation data fuel expectations of future Federal Reserve rate cuts,” Kaveri More, commodity analyst at Choice Broking, said, as quoted by news agency PTI.In the international market, spot silver slipped $1.65, or 2.15 per cent, to $74.96 per ounce, while gold was trading 1.04 per cent lower at $4,938.70 per ounce.“Spot gold extended its decline for the second straight day as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the US-Iran talks beginning in Geneva on Tuesday,” Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities and Currencies at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.Saumil Gandhi, senior analyst, commodities at HDFC Securities, said gold’s “fragile hold” above the $5,000-mark gave way to renewed selling pressure as support weakened with the start of China’s Lunar New Year holidays.He noted that the absence of Chinese participation, one of the key demand drivers, has reduced buying interest and left prices vulnerable to downward pressure.“Liquidity conditions remain thin across metals, and unless speculative sentiment re-emerges decisively, price action is likely to stay confined within relatively narrow ranges in the near term,” Gandhi added, as per PTI.Market participants are now focusing on the US ADP employment report and key geopolitical developments, including US-led negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which could influence risk sentiment and demand for safe-haven assets, he said.

Silver futures drop over 2% on MCX

In the futures trade, silver prices declined more than 2 per cent to Rs 2.33 lakh per kilogram on Tuesday, tracking weak global trends and low liquidity amid holidays across major Asian economies.On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), silver contracts for March delivery plunged Rs 6,330, or 2.64 per cent, to Rs 2,33,561 per kilogram in a business turnover of 5,820 lots.In international markets, Comex silver futures fell $3.56, or 4.58 per cent, to $74.39 per ounce.“Silver dropped over 2 per cent to below $76 per ounce as liquidity remained subdued amid market holidays in China, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia,” Jigar Trivedi, senior research analyst at IndusInd Securities, said.He added that Chinese traders had driven a speculative surge in precious metals in January before a dramatic reversal, prompting authorities to curb market risks through various measures.Silver had surged to a record above $120 per ounce in late January but later tumbled to around $64 earlier this month as leveraged positions were unwound and investors liquidated holdings to cover losses elsewhere.

Gold futures also under pressure

Gold prices in the futures market dropped more than 1 per cent to Rs 1.52 lakh per 10 grams on Tuesday due to easing safe-haven demand amid improving geopolitical sentiment and a strong US dollar.On the MCX, gold contracts for April delivery depreciated Rs 2,228, or 1.44 per cent, to Rs 1,52,532 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 7,553 lots.In the global market, Comex gold futures for the April contract declined $119.6, or 2.37 per cent, to $4,926.7 per ounce.“Gold traded on a softer note on Tuesday, with prices consolidating after recent volatility as investors booked profits and reacted to a firmer US dollar and shifting interest-rate expectations from the Federal Reserve,” Gaurav Garg, research analyst at Lemonn Markets Desk, said.Renisha Chainani, head – research at Augmont, said safe-haven demand eased as geopolitical tensions moderated and the US dollar strengthened.She noted that comments from US President Donald Trump indicating indirect US involvement in upcoming nuclear discussions with Iran in Geneva raised hopes of diplomatic progress, while fresh Ukraine-Russia talks reduced immediate tensions and improved risk appetite.“As risk sentiment improved, some investors reduced defensive positions in precious metals,” Chainani said, adding that market attention is shifting to the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes for cues on the future interest rate outlook.Analysts said that while both gold and silver are undergoing a volatile corrective phase in 2026 following last year’s strong rally, the broader multi-year bullish trend remains intact, with current weakness seen largely as consolidation rather than a trend reversal.