Precious Metals Market Brief **February 18, 2026** Precious metals are navigating a complex landscape today as early gains on the **MCX** struggle against shifting global sentiments. While futures opened with upward momentum, a broader correction is underway across both gold and silver. Gold Performance and Trends Gold prices have pulled back from recent historic highs, currently hovering near **$4,880** per ounce in international spot markets. On the domestic front, **MCX Gold** futures have softened to approximately **₹74,500** per 10 grams, marking a significant intraday decline of nearly **₹1,800**. Physical gold rates in major Indian cities reflect this cooling trend. In **Delhi** and **Mumbai**, 24K gold is retailing around **₹15,435 to ₹15,450** per gram, a drop of roughly **1.4%** from the previous session. This correction follows a volatile period where prices peaked at over **₹16,000** earlier this month. Silver’s Sharp Correction Silver is experiencing much higher volatility compared to gold. **MCX Silver** futures have crashed to **₹2,60,000** per kg, a sharp daily drop of **₹8,000** or roughly **3%**. This follows a massive rally in January where the metal surged by **47%**, reaching levels as high as **₹4,10,000** per kg. The current downturn is attributed to a "double-hit" on silver’s dual identity. As a safe haven, it is losing ground due to geopolitical de-escalation; as an industrial metal, it is under pressure from a strengthening **US Dollar Index** and a temporary dip in tech-sector demand. Key Market Drivers Geopolitical tensions are providing less support for prices as progress in **US-Iran negotiations** in Geneva fuels hopes for regional stability. This de-escalation has reduced the "fear premium" that previously drove investors toward bullion. Simultaneously, a resilient US labor market—evidenced by recent jobs data—has shifted expectations for **Federal Reserve** rate cuts. Investors now anticipate the first cut may not arrive until **July 2026**, bolstering the dollar and increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding metals. Market Outlook Domestic physical demand remains steady in regions like **Kolkata** and **Chennai** due to wedding season preparations, which may provide a soft floor for prices. However, institutional analysts are currently advising caution. With the **Relative Strength Index (RSI)** for silver recently hitting overbought levels near **75**, further technical corrections are possible. Market participants are largely "fence-sitting" this week, avoiding fresh positions until clearer signals emerge from upcoming global economic data.