Gold and silver prices gained in the futures trade on Friday driven by firm global trends and growing expectations among investors that the US Federal Reserve will deliver a rate cut next month.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for December delivery increased by Rs 596, or 0.47 per cent, to Rs 1,26,100 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 4,496 lots.

The February contract appreciated by Rs 669, or 0.52 per cent, to Rs 1,28,336 per 10 grams in 10,370 lots.

Silver prices also gained ground, with the December contract surging by Rs 1,183, or 0.73 per cent, to Rs 1,63,650 per kilogram in 5,799 lots.

The March 2026 contract also moved higher by Rs 1,373, or 0.83 per cent, to Rs 1,67,360 per kg in a business turnover of 15,578 lots.

“In the domestic market, both metals traded steady and ended Thursday on a mixed note due to the US Thanksgiving holiday keeping global cues limited,” Rahul Kalantri, Vice-President, Commodities, Mehta Equities Ltd, said.

In the international market, Comex gold futures for December delivery went up by USD 22.2, or 0.53 per cent, to USD 4,187.4 per ounce, while silver was trading 1.71 per cent higher at USD 53.82 an ounce.

In the intraday session, the white metal futures rose to hit a high of USD 54.23 per ounce.

“Gold in the Asian session inched toward USD 4,190 per ounce, while silver continued its upward march above USD 54, approaching fresh lifetime highs in the international market,” Kalantri added.

Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities, said gold’s upward movement has been approaching a five-week high, as investors grew more confident of a December Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut.

He noted that a series of remarks from Fed officials supported further monetary policy easing, along with delayed economic data showing weakness, has reinforced expectations of a rate cut.

Meanwhile, Kevin Hassett, seen as a frontrunner to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell, has echoed President Donald Trump’s support for a rate reduction.

Trivedi said that market participants now price in more than an 80 per cent probability of a 25 basis points cut next month, up sharply from 30 per cent a week ago.

“Investors are also pricing in three additional cuts by the end of 2026. The metal is poised for its strongest annual performance since 1979, supported by heavy central-bank buying and strong non-sovereign inflows into exchange traded funds (ETFs),” he added. (Agencies)

A bill seeking to open up the civil nuclear sector for private players is among the 10 new proposed legislations listed by the government for introduction in the winter session of Parliament, beginning December 1.

Besides the crucial ‘The Atomic Energy Bill, 2025’, which seeks to govern the use and regulation of atomic energy in India, the Higher Education Commission of India Bill is also on the agenda.

According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, the proposed law seeks to set up a Higher Education Commission of India to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes to become independent and self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy.

It has long been on the government’s agenda.

The National Highways (Amendment) Bill, also listed for introduction, seeks to ensure faster and transparent land acquisition for national highways. Another proposed legislation is the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims at tweaking the Companies Act, 2013 and LLP Act, 2008, to facilitate ease of doing business.

Also on the government’s agenda is the Securities Markets Code Bill (SMC), 2025, which proposes to consolidate provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, Depositories Act, 1996, and Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, into a rationalised single Securities Markets Code.

The government also plans changes to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. Law Ministry officials said a proposed amendment to section 34 of the law and a Supreme Court observation on company directors have made the government refer the issue to a committee. The proposed amendment stems from that.

Two bills from the previous session are also listed for consideration and passing. The first supplementary Budget for the year is also on the agenda, according to the bulletin.

The session, with 15 sittings, will conclude on December 19. (Agencies)

New Delhi faces severe air pollution as the Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorates to an alarming 360 on Saturday morning, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). With this reading, the national capital remains enveloped in a haze of toxic air, categorizing its air quality as ‘very poor.’

The CPCB classifies the AQI on a scale where 0–50 is good, 51–100 is satisfactory, and values over 300 indicate increasingly hazardous conditions for health. An AQI of 301 to 400 explicitly qualifies as ‘very poor,’ exposing the city’s residents to health risks, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

In addition to the alarming air quality, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a minimum temperature of 11.8°C in the city. The IMD anticipates persistent fog throughout the day, which hinders visibility and contributes to the accumulation of pollutants. Residents should remain vigilant and limit outdoor activities to mitigate health risks.

The high level of humidity, measured at 100 percent at 8:30 a.m., soars alongside the temperature, creating dense moisture-laden air. This combination aggravates pollution and can lead to visibility issues, especially in morning hours when fog is prominent.

Health experts recommend that citizens wear masks outdoors and prefer indoor activities. The current poor air quality can trigger respiratory problems and other health conditions. The government should implement immediate measures to address air quality standards and undertake long-term strategies to combat pollution.

As Delhi battles this trifecta of pollution, fog, and humidity, the focus remains on public health and awareness. Authorities and citizens alike must engage in efforts to bring down pollution levels and protect the health of the population.