Gold Price Prediction Today: Why Are Gold Prices Crashing? Key Levels to Watch Out For Gold prices have experienced a sharp decline, marking their worst performance in years, as rising inflation concerns and expectations of prolonged higher interest rates overshadowed safe-haven demand. Escalating tensions in the US-Israel-Iran conflict pushed crude oil prices above $100, fueling fears of sustained energy-driven inflation. Central banks, including the Federal Reserve, have maintained a cautious stance, holding interest rates steady while signaling inflation risks. Other central banks, such as the Reserve Bank of Australia, have opted to hike rates, further pressuring gold’s appeal. A stronger US dollar and rising bond yields have also contributed to the decline in gold prices. Despite brief stability from easing oil prices, markets have shifted away from rate-cut expectations, limiting gold’s upside amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Analysts note that gold has turned technically weak after a sharp breakdown from its recent consolidation range. Prices have slipped below the middle Bollinger Band, indicating a loss of bullish momentum, and are now approaching the lower band, suggesting increased downside volatility. The recent price action resembles a distribution top followed by a breakdown, confirming a short-term bearish structure. Immediate resistance is seen near Rs 142,000-145,000, which aligns with the middle Bollinger Band and prior support zones. A stronger resistance level is placed at Rs 150,000, where repeated rejections were observed earlier. On the downside, key support lies around Rs 136,000, and a decisive break below this level could extend the decline toward Rs 130,000-128,000.#us_israel_iran_conflict #federal_reserve #motilal_oswal_financial_services_ltd #reserve_bank_of_australia #manav_modi
Benchmark Indices Slip 2% as Crude Oil Prices Remain High The benchmark indices fell by 2% on Friday, March 13, 2026, amid sustained high crude oil prices. The Nifty 50 declined to 23,151.10, while the Sensex dropped to 74,563.92, marking a broad-based decline across all sectoral indices. The Nifty opened at 23,462.50, briefly reaching 23,492.40 before slipping to 23,112.00 by the day’s close. Sectoral indices fell as much as 4.8%, with Nifty Metal and Nifty PSU leading the decline at 4.8% and 3.7%, respectively. The drop was driven by rising crude oil prices, which remained elevated, alongside the rupee hitting a fresh low of 92.3 against the U.S. dollar. Foreign institutional investors (FII) also sold ₹52,704 crore worth of equities in a single day, the highest such outflow since January 2025, when the monthly sell-off totaled ₹78,027 crore. Analysts attributed the market volatility to ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which continue to disrupt the energy sector and push crude oil prices higher. Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd., noted that market volatility is expected to persist in the near term. He highlighted that developments in West Asia, fluctuations in crude oil prices, and trends in foreign fund flows will remain critical factors influencing the market. The uncertainty surrounding shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz further heightened risk sentiment, keeping investors cautious. The decline in indices reflects the interconnected challenges facing the market, including energy price pressures, currency weakness, and capital outflows. These factors underscore the sensitivity of financial markets to global economic and geopolitical dynamics, particularly in the context of a fragile recovery.#strait_of_hormuz #sensex #nifty_50 #west_asia #motilal_oswal_financial_services_ltd
Top Stocks to Buy: Stock Recommendations for March 16, 2026 Week Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd has recommended Coal India and State Bank of India (SBI) as the top stock picks for the week starting March 16, 2026. Coal India is highlighted for its strong position in the evolving global and domestic coal market. Rising liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices and constrained global gas supply are driving utilities to shift from gas-based power generation to coal, which is expected to boost coal demand and pricing. The recent rise in coal prices is beneficial for realizations, particularly in the e-auction segment, which typically offers higher margins compared to long-term fuel supply agreements. Additionally, India’s growing electricity demand and continued reliance on coal for baseload power are projected to sustain strong off-take from the power sector. Coal India’s low-cost production base, improving realizations from non-FSA and washed coal sales, and robust free cash flow generation support its resilient balance sheet and stable earnings outlook. State Bank of India is recommended for its strategic advantage in the credit market, with systemic loan growth exceeding 13% and management projecting strong credit growth ahead. The bank’s healthy retail, small and medium enterprise (SME), and corporate segments, combined with stable deposit funding and controlled repricing, are expected to drive a sustainable 14% loan compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over FY26–28. Margin resilience and operating leverage underpin a positive profitability outlook. Domestic net interest margins (NIMs) are targeted above 3%, with a stable cost-to-income trend. The bank also benefits from easing funding costs and improving fee income.#coal_india #e_auction #motilal_oswal_financial_services_ltd #state_bank_of_india #the_times_of_india
Laurus Labs eyes fresh rally as stock respects 20-DEMA support: Shivangi Sarda Laurus Labs stock is currently respecting its 20-day Exponential Moving Average (DEMA) and is showing signs of preparing to break out of its upward-sloping channel. Analyst Shivangi Sarda from Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd suggests that traders can consider buying the stock with a target price of Rs 1,120 within the next 2-3 weeks. The analyst highlights that the stock’s technical indicators are aligning to signal a potential upward breakout, which could lead to a significant rally. Sarda’s assessment is based on the stock’s recent performance relative to key support levels and its broader market trends. She emphasizes that the current consolidation phase is a setup for a stronger move higher, provided the stock sustains its position above the 20-day DEMA. Traders are advised to monitor the stock’s interaction with the 20-day DEMA as a critical level for confirmation of the breakout. The analyst also notes that the broader market environment, including macroeconomic factors and sector-specific dynamics, will play a role in determining the stock’s trajectory. However, the immediate focus remains on the technical setup and the potential for a short-term rebound. The recommendation comes amid a mix of market conditions, with investors balancing optimism about corporate earnings and economic recovery against concerns over global risks and interest rate volatility. Sarda’s analysis underscores the importance of technical patterns in gauging short-term opportunities, particularly in a market where sentiment can shift rapidly based on key technical levels.#stock_market #motilal_oswal_financial_services_ltd #laurus_labs #shivangi_sarda #20_day_dema
