Silver declined toward $84 per ounce on Thursday, extending losses from the previous session as inflation concerns dimmed prospects for interest rate cuts. Oil resumed its rally after coordinated releases from strategic reserves failed to ease markets, keeping energy-driven inflation risks elevated. These pressures have overshadowed the heightened demand for safe-haven assets amid the Iran conflict. Meanwhile, US inflation in February met expectations, showing steady but above-target CPI readings, while forward-looking inflationary pressures have further lowered the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut. This has strengthened the dollar and pushed Treasury yields higher, adding more pressure on non-yielding metals. The Fed is widely expected to hold rates next week, with traders pricing in only one cut this year. Despite the decline, silver remains up more than 18% so far this year.
