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Precious metals are maintaining strong momentum, with gold prices climbing to new highs and silver trading at decade-long peaks. According to Jonathan Barratt, Chief Investment Officer at ETO Group, investor appetite for safe-haven assets remains strong, with gold leading the rally despite silver’s industrial advantage.“Gold has technically broken out of a consolidation pattern, which signals further gains. The weight of demand from investors is forcing prices higher—nobody is shorting gold, everyone is buying,” Barratt said in an interview with ET Now.Gold outlookGold is currently trading near $3,640–$3,670, and Barratt believes the psychological level of $3,600 will act as a floor for the metal. “It is difficult to set exact targets at record highs, but the market momentum suggests gold could continue higher despite a firmer US dollar,” he noted.Silver outlookWhile gold remains the top performer, Barratt expects silver to deliver stronger percentage gains over the long term. He highlighted that silver could move toward $50 per ounce, a level last seen in 2011.“Many are underestimating silver’s potential. Industrial demand from electric vehicles, solar panels, and China’s push toward a green economy will be major drivers. The US is also considering reclassifying silver as a rare earth, which could further tighten supply,” he said.Copper in focusBeyond precious metals, copper has also shown strength, with year-to-date gains of around 12%. Barratt sees further upside, supported by expectations of US rate cuts and possible stimulus measures from China.“Copper is still relatively cheap, around $4.60 per pound. If China revives its manufacturing sector and the US eases policy, we could see another lift in prices,” he added.Market sentimentBrokerages remain bullish on both gold and silver as investors continue to hedge against global uncertainties, trade tensions, and shifting economic policies. Analysts expect demand to stay firm heading into year-end, with silver positioned to outpace gold in percentage terms over the longer horizon.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

India and Russia have set a goal of USD 100 billion bilateral trade by 2030, and Sberbank will facilitate corporates in deepening business and achieve the objective, the bank's First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board Alexander Vedyakhin said on Wednesday. In a bid to expand trade, Sberbank has published a guide for Indian entrepreneurs planning to localise their businesses in Russia. And for Russian businesses, the bank regularly prepares a digest on the prospects of the Indian market, the bank said in a statement. Sberbank of Russia has been operating in India for 15 years, and the bank has a presence in Delhi and Mumbai. Besides, it launched an IT hub in Bengaluru. "In 2020, a trend toward India began, and we are actively promoting the Indian agenda. Our goal is to achieve USD 100 billion in trade between the two countries by 2030," he said. Russian-Indian economic partnership has great potential, but so far only part of it has been realised, he said, adding that 99 per cent of trade turnover, which currently stands at USD 63 billion, is accounted for by energy resources - diversification is needed. Bilateral trade between India and Russia reached a record high of USD 68.7 billion in 2024-25, nearly 5.8 times higher than the pre-pandemic trade of USD 10.1 billion. It comprises India's exports worth USD 4.88 billion and imports from Russia amounting to USD 63.84 billion.