Silver ETFs Plunge 16%, Gold ETFs Slip 5% Amid Futures Drop

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AuthorIshaan Verma|Published at:
Silver ETFs Plunge 16%, Gold ETFs Slip 5% Amid Futures Drop
Overview

Precious metals faced a sharp sell-off on February 5, with silver ETFs tumbling up to 16% and gold ETFs dropping around 5%. This decline followed a rebound in earlier sessions, driven by profit-taking and anticipation of key US economic data. While futures markets saw significant drops, analysts maintain a long-term bullish outlook citing central bank demand and supply deficits.

Precious Metals Tumble on Profit Booking, US Data Cues

Precious metals experienced a significant downturn on February 5, reversing recent gains. Silver exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw the sharpest declines, with some plummeting as much as 16% in early trading. Gold ETFs mirrored the trend, falling around 5% as the underlying commodity prices shed value. This broad-based retreat followed a period of price stabilization after an earlier sharp slump, signaling a pause driven by investor caution and profit-taking.

Futures Markets Face Headwinds

Gold futures contracts for April expiry dropped approximately 3% to ₹1,48,455 per 10 grams. Similarly, silver futures, particularly the March expiry contracts, experienced a steeper decline of 6%, settling at ₹2,52,719 per kilogram. The downward pressure intensified as markets turned their attention to upcoming economic indicators from the United States, including ADP non-farm payrolls and final services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) readings from major economies. Investors are closely monitoring these figures for clues regarding the Federal Reserve's potential timing for interest rate adjustments.

Analyst Views: Caution Amidst Long-Term Optimism

Market participants are eyeing Friday's official US jobs report as a critical determinant for the Federal Reserve's next move on rates. Current CME FedWatch data suggests a low probability of rate cuts before May, with June showing a near-even split between a 25 basis-point cut and rates remaining unchanged. Analysts suggest the recent sharp movements in gold and silver, sometimes termed a "flash crash," might represent a necessary cooling of overbought market conditions rather than a fundamental trend reversal. Despite short-term volatility, the structural outlook for precious metals remains positive. Factors such as record central bank accumulation of gold, persistent deficits in silver supply, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties provide a strong underlying support floor. However, some fund managers recommend a cautious approach, advising investors to trim over-allocations to precious metals and re-align portfolios, with gold currently favored over silver from a risk-reward perspective.

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