Gold and silver have experienced an impressive rally in 2024, gaining approximately 30 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, on the Commodity Exchange (COMEX), a report showed on Monday.

While central bank policies and geopolitical risks are significant drivers of gold and silver prices, other factors also play a role in shaping the market, according to the report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd (MOFSL).

In 2024, global demand for precious metals has increased substantially. Central banks worldwide, including those in emerging markets, have been net buyers of gold for over a decade. In 2024, they collectively purchased more than 500 tonnes of gold, reflecting a strategy to diversify reserves amid economic uncertainties, said the report.

“Looking ahead, the outlook for gold and silver remains positive, although some market consolidation or short-term dips may present buying opportunities. Loose monetary policy environment, coupled with ongoing geopolitical risks, should continue to provide a favourable backdrop for gold and silver,” said Manav Modi, analyst, Commodity Research, MOFSL.

India’s savings rate has surpassed the global average as financial inclusion has shot up in the country with over 80 per cent adults now having formal financial accounts, according to an SBI report released on Monday.

India savings rate is at 30.2 per cent, which is higher than the global average of 28.2 per cent, the report stated.

“Due to various measures, India’s financial inclusion improved significantly and now more than 80 per cent of adults in India have a formal financial account, compared to about 50 per cent in 2011, which is improving the financialisation of the savings rate of Indian households,” the report points out.

The share of net financial savings in total household savings has increased from 36 per cent in FY14 to about 52 per cent in FY21, however, during FY22 and FY23, the share has decelerated.

FY24 trends reveal that the share of physical savings have again started to decline.

India is seeing at least 30 million new demat accounts being opened every year since 2021, and nearly every one in four is now a women investor, indicating an increasing prevalence of using capital market as a channel of financialisation of savings, SBI Research said on Monday.

The report from the State Bank of India’s Economic Research Department stated that owing to this, the total demat accounts in the country crossed 150 million (of which 92 million are unique investors on NSE) in FY24 as compared to a paltry 22 million in FY14.

“This year, the number of new demat accounts may cross the 40 million mark,” said Dr Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser, SBI, adding that apart from a few states, the participation of women increased more than national average in FY25 as compared to FY22.

Delhi (29.8 per cent), Maharashtra (27.7 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (27.5 per cent) exhibit higher female representation than the pan-India average of 23.9 per cent in FY25, while states such as Bihar (15.4 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (18.2 per cent) and Odisha (19.4 per cent) had sub-20 per cent female share in their respective registered investor bases, the findings showed.

The Indian stock market jumped more than 600 points in early trade on Monday amid positive mixed global cues.

At around 9:29 am, Sensex was trading at 78,665.83 after gaining 624.24 points or 0.80 per cent, while the Nifty was trading at 23,773.45 after gaining 185.95 points or 0.79 per cent.

The market trend remained positive. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 1,223 stocks were trading in green, while 494 stocks were in red.

According to experts, in the short run, there will be market rebounds which may be followed by renewed FII selling.

“A sustained rally is possible only when we have indications of a growth revival in the economy. This is likely in early 2025.,” they said.

The issue of overpriced food and beverages at airports has long troubled travelers across India. During the winter session of Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha from the Aam Aadmi Party had highlighted this issue to the forefront, criticizing the exorbitant prices of water, tea, and snacks at airports. Responding to his efforts, the government has taken cognizance and introduced the "Udaan Yatri Cafe" initiative, starting with Kolkata Airport, where affordable food and beverages will now be made available soon.

The issue of overpriced food and beverages at airports has long troubled travelers across India. During the winter session of Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha from the Aam Aadmi Party had highlighted this issue to the forefront, criticizing the exorbitant prices of water, tea, and snacks at airports. Responding to his efforts, the government has taken cognizance and introduced the "Udaan Yatri Cafe" initiative, starting with Kolkata Airport, where affordable food and beverages will now be made available soon.

Riding on resilient economic growth, the domestic stock markets are ending 2024 on a positive note, with Nifty registering a 13 per cent gain (year-to-date) -- its ninth consecutive year of positive gains, a Motilal Oswal Wealth Management report said on Saturday.

The first half of the year saw robust corporate earnings, a surge in domestic flows, and a resilient macro landscape, driving the Nifty to an all-time high of 26,277 in September.

In fact, the markets navigated significant events, such several global geo-political issues, General Elections and Budget in India, and any dips were swiftly met with strong buying activity, the report mentioned.

“The year 2025 could unfold as a tale of two halves. The first half may continue to see market consolidation, while a recovery could take place in the second half,” it added.

There has been a massive 233 per cent growth (year-on-year) in overall net inflows in systematic investment plans (SIPs) in India this year, according to a new report, as the Indian economy remains resilient amid rough geo-political conditions.

Overall net inflows stood at Rs 9.14 lakh crore from January to November this year, as against Rs. 2.74 lakh crore in 2023 which tantamount to a growth of 233 per cent, according to the report by ICRA Analytics.

Number of new SIPs registered increased to 49.47 lakh at the end of November, as against 30.80 lakh in November 2023.

Moreover, SIP asset under management (AUM) stood at Rs 13.54 lakh crore in November, as against Rs. 9.31 lakh crore in 2023, said the report.

Indian mutual fund (MF) industry witnessed over 135 per cent surge in net inflows and nearly 39 per cent growth in net AUM (Assets under Management) over the last one year, the report said, adding that the industry is likely to witness a multi-fold growth in the coming years with India being in a bright spot in the global economy.

Indian benchmark indices declined 5 per cent this week amid global selloff, mainly triggered by the US Federal Reserve's caution approach for rate cuts next year, which resulted in relentless selling by the foreign institutional investors (FIIs).

With this, Sensex lost over 1,000 points in three out of five trading sessions this week, and nearly Rs 17 lakh crore worth of market cap was eroded out of BSE-listed firms.

According to market experts, it had been a dreadful week for the equity markets, as the key indices fell dramatically, erasing the gains of the last four weeks.

“The benchmark index experienced a significant decline, plummeting approximately 1,200 points from the previous week's closing figure. As a result, it finished the week below 200 simple moving average (SMA), marking a total loss of nearly 5 per cent,” said Osho Krishnan from Angel One.

The Nifty50 experienced a significant decline, as it breached all essential support levels. This downward movement has led the index to approach its most recent swing low, signalling potential volatility in the market.

The Indian stock market shed more than 1,000 points on Friday amid the global selloff, after the US Federal Reserve hinted at a slow pace of interest rate cuts in the future.

Heavy selling was seen in the realty and PSU bank sectors of Nifty.

At closing, Sensex settled at 78,041.59 down by 1,176.46 points, or 1.49 per cent, and Nifty ended at 23,587.50 down by 364.20 points, or 1.52 per cent.

According to Krishna Appala of Capitalmind Research, the markets are becoming increasingly stock-specific while the broader indices take a pause.

"Several key events are influencing the current sentiment, including the upcoming US Presidential regime change with Donald Trump set to take office in January, and the Indian Union Budget announcement just weeks away," Appala added.