With gold back in focus amid global uncertainty, investors are again looking at non-physical gold options. But when it comes to costs and convenience, the choice between gold ETFs and gold funds is more complex than it appears.
Women are beginning their investment journeys earlier than before, demonstrating greater awareness about financial planning and long-term wealth building. More importantly, the emerging pattern shows that women investors tend to adopt disciplined investing habits. Regular contributions, systematic investing and a long-term outlook are becoming defining characteristics of this growing investor base.
Investors are increasingly viewing Bitcoin as a strategic asset amid geopolitical uncertainty and shifting global policies. Sustained inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs have boosted liquidity and reinforced confidence in the ongoing rally.
Fixed deposits are widely seen as one of the safest investment options for conservative investors. But chasing unusually high FD interest rates can carry hidden risks — a lesson one retiree learned after losing nearly ₹60 lakh in what he believed was a “safe” deposit.
A new report by Lxme and EY India reveals that the country scored 28.1 out of 100 on the Women’s Financial Prosperity Index (WFPI), highlighting how structural barriers continue to limit women’s ability to build wealth.
The survey found that 38% of women in these regions now use UPI at least once a week for everyday payments such as groceries, utility bills and mobile recharges, reflecting the rapid adoption of digital financial services across Bharat.
Considering the trend, the yellow metal should have surged since March 2 since investors usually park their funds in gold amid equity market routs.
Gold prices have corrected from recent record highs in 2026. Alok Jain, Founder of Weekend Investing, believes the recent correction in gold prices does not signal the end of the rally but reflects short-term volatility within a larger structural bull cycle.
Escalating tensions between the US, Israel and Iran could have far-reaching implications for global markets, oil prices and inflation, according to a Morgan Stanley report. The investment bank outlined seven key risks investors should monitor, ranging from potential oil supply disruptions to shifts in Federal Reserve policy and rising defence spending.
MCX gold rate today for April futures contracts opened higher by ₹1,225, or 0.75%, at ₹1,62,750 per 10 grams compared with the previous close of ₹1,61,525. The contract rose further to an intraday high of ₹1,63,142 before giving up part of its gains during the session. Similarly, MCX silver price for May futures contracts opened higher by ₹4,340, or 1.63%, at ₹2,69,900 per kilogram against the previous close of ₹2,65,560.
Escalating tensions between the US, Israel and Iran are sending ripples across global financial markets, pushing investors toward traditional safe-haven and defence-linked assets. Gold prices have surged amid risk aversion, while oil markets remain volatile on fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East. As geopolitical risks intensify, investors are increasingly evaluating exposure to gold, defence and energy stocks as potential hedges in an uncertain global environment.
Gold and silver prices witnessed sharp volatility on Wednesday as escalating tensions in West Asia pushed investors toward safe-haven assets. However, international prices pulled back from recent highs as a stronger US dollar and uncertainty around Federal Reserve rate cuts triggered profit-booking in global markets.
MCX resumed trading in the second half on Tuesday after remaining closed during the morning session due to the Holi holiday. MCX gold futures for April expiry opened sharply lower, falling 3% to ₹1,61,092 per 10 grams compared with the previous close of ₹1,66,074. Silver prices saw a deeper cut, dropping 6% to ₹2,61,773 per kilogram.
Spot gold was up 1.26% at $5,738 per ounce, while spot silver advanced 1.92% to $90.56 per ounce during Asian trading hours, recovering from a steep 6% decline on Monday. The surge in bullion prices comes as crude oil remains elevated following the joint Israeli and US strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, heightening concerns for oil-import-dependent economies such as India.
Escalating tensions between the US, Israel and Iran have rattled global markets, pushing crude higher and strengthening safe-haven assets like gold. For India, the real question is how this geopolitical flashpoint could impact the rupee, inflation and long-term investment portfolios.
One of the most underestimated risks to long-term investing is liquidity stress. Without 6-12 months of emergency cash, investors are forced to sell stocks at the worst possible time — during job loss, medical emergencies, or unexpected crises.
On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), silver futures for March 2026 delivery climbed ₹8,340, or 3.2%, to settle at ₹2,68,009 per kilogram. The move places domestic silver prices within striking distance of the ₹2.7 lakh psychological threshold. In contrast, gold futures for April 2026 delivery rose ₹482, or 0.3%, to ₹1,60,191 per 10 grams.
The Reserve Bank of India has released the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) premature redemption calendar for April to September 2026, detailing series-wise exit dates and request windows. The announcement comes alongside a key tax change effective April 1, 2026, which removes capital gains exemption for SGBs purchased from the secondary market.
“Since 1900, the energy we need to produce a unit of copper is up 16 fold and the amount of water we need to make a unit of copper has doubled,” he said.
From April 2026, tax-free redemption will apply only to investors who subscribed to SGBs in the primary issue directly through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and hold them till maturity.
The BankBazaar Aspiration Index 2025–26 shows that the All-India Aspiration Index stands at 85.5, unchanged from last year — the first time in eight years that the index has not moved upward. The report noted that amid macroeconomic uncertainty and AI-led disruption, salaried Indians aged 22–45 are recalibrating priorities toward income stability, risk control, and long-term financial resilience.




