Gold slips, silver sinks as stronger dollar and margin stress trigger metals selloff

Gold prices slipped on Thursday as a stronger US dollar and broad-based market selling pushed investors to trim exposure. Spot gold eased to just under $4,900 an ounce, while futures also closed lower, reflecting profit-taking rather than a shift in fundamentals.

Silver was hit far harder, sliding into the mid-$70s after a steep intraday drop, as selling accelerated across the precious metals complex.

According to Bob Haberkorn of RJO Futures, some of the pressure came from margin stress, with investors selling metals to meet cash demands triggered by losses in equities — a dynamic that amplified the speed and severity of the move.