Markets Dip Ahead of US CPI Release

The major equity index closed at 4,150.65 on Friday, down 30 points or 0.73% from the previous close of 4,120.00, with an opening of 4,140.00, a high of 4,160.00 and a low of 4,180.00. Gold settled at $4,150.65, falling 10.55 points or 0.25%. Silver slipped to $58.968, a decline of 0.557 points or 0.94%. Crude oil prices were largely flat: WTI traded at $94.18, up 0.04 points (0.04%), while Brent settled at $105.62, down 0.07 points (0.07%). Base metals saw mixed moves; copper rose to $6.7648, up 0.0388 points (0.58%), whereas aluminum fell to $3,030.65, down 5.60 points (0.18%). Natural gas edged higher to $3.315, a gain of 0.032 points (0.97%). Investors remain cautious as the market awaits the release of the U.S. Consumer Price Index, which could provide clues about inflationary pressures and the Fed’s policy direction. The data will be closely watched for any signals that could influence equity and commodity valuations in the coming week.