Gold prices witnessed a slight correction on Monday, February 16, 2026, as futures trading on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) saw a drop of ₹589. The yellow metal for April delivery settled at ₹155,306 per 10 grams, marking a 0.38% decrease.
What’s Driving the Slide? The primary catalyst for this dip is a bearish trend in international markets. In New York, Comex gold futures slipped to approximately $5,021.99 per ounce. This follows a period of high volatility after weaker-than-expected US inflation data previously pushed prices up.
Key Factors to Watch:
- Geopolitics: Safe-haven demand remains supported by tensions in the Middle East and stalled Iran nuclear talks.
- US Policy: Markets are wary of “Trump-era” tariff threats and their potential inflationary impact, alongside uncertainty regarding the Federal Reserve’s next move.
- Physical Demand: Interestingly, while futures eased, physical demand in China remains robust, with Shanghai stocks crossing 100 tonnes.
The Outlook: Investors are now keeping a close eye on the upcoming PCE price index and FOMC minutes for fresh direction. Whether this is a minor correction or the start of a trend remains to be seen.
