Finance1 min read

ETMarkets Smart Talk | Gold for ballast, silver for growth; avoid industrial commodities in core portfolios: Saish Sawant

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In short

Recent geopolitical conflicts and tanker strikes near Hormuz drove October crude oil prices up by about 12%, with Brent moving past $117. Meanwhile, gold fell roughly 3% across the month to near $4,026 an ounce amid heightened interest rate expectations. Analysts suggest pairing gold as a defensive anchor with silver for high-beta upside, while keeping industrial metals like copper out of core retail holdings.

Key points

  • Gold continues to offer portfolio stabilization as a ballast despite recent rate-driven p…: Gold continues to offer portfolio stabilization as a ballast despite recent rate-driven price declines.
  • Silver serves as a higher-beta asset capable of capturing stronger growth upside than tra…: Silver serves as a higher-beta asset capable of capturing stronger growth upside than traditional safe havens.
  • Industrial commodities are deemed unsuitable for core retail portfolios due to idiosyncra…: Industrial commodities are deemed unsuitable for core retail portfolios due to idiosyncratic trade policies and complex supply dynamics.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

At the same time, crude oil has surged on geopolitical tensions, while copper continues to navigate a complex mix of AI-led demand, tariff uncertainty and supply disruptions.

So, how should investors approach commodities in an increasingly divergent market?

In this edition of ETMarkets Smart Talk, Saish Sawant, Research Analyst–Commodities at Emkay Global Financial Services, breaks down the contrasting moves across gold, crude and copper.

He explains why gold could continue to serve as portfolio ballast, why silver offers a higher-beta growth opportunity, and why retail investors may be better off avoiding industrial commodities as part of their core portfolio.

We also discuss the outlook for gold after its sharp correction, the impact of interest rates and geopolitics on commodity prices, and the biggest mistakes investors should avoid when chasing a rally or buying the dip. Edited Excerpts –

Q) October has been a month of sharp divergence across commodities. What has been the biggest driver behind the contrasting moves in gold, crude oil and copper?

A) The common thread is the Middle East conflict, but each market is pricing the…

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