As Akshaya Tritiya approaches on April 30, excitement is building up. On Akshaya Tritiya, buying gold is believed to bring everlasting prosperity and good fortune in India.
The word "Akshaya Tritiya" comes from Sanskrit - where "Akshaya" means "eternal" or "never diminishing," and "Tritiya" refers to the third day of the bright half of the Vaishakha month in the Hindu calendar. It is believed that anything started or invested on this day will continue to grow and bring prosperity.
If we look at returns over the past year, gold has clearly outperformed the stock market by a big margin. Let's see the numbers:
Date | Nifty 50 | Gold 24k/10g (₹) |
10-May-2024 | 22,055.2 | 73,989.2 |
25-Apr-2025 | 24,039.35 | 1,06,132.1 |
Source: NSE website, goldpricez.com
Since around Akshaya Tritiya 2024, gold has delivered a return of 43.44%, while the Nifty 50 has given a return of just around 9%. This significant gap highlights why many Indian investors preferred gold over equities during the past year.
The sharp rally in gold prices has been fueled by factors such as global economic uncertainty, high inflation, and a rising demand for safe-haven assets during an uncertain macro environment.
Gold’s strong performance made headlines recently when, on April 22, 2025, gold prices crossed ₹1 lakh per 10 grams for the first time ever. As Akshaya Tritiya comes closer, gold continues to remain in the spotlight for investors seeking both growth and safety.
Source: NSE website, goldpricez.com
While gold has glittered, the Nifty has struggled to keep pace over the past year.
Several factors contributed to Nifty's muted performance during this period. In the second half of FY24, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) started pulling out money from Indian markets due to high valuations. Between October 2024 and March 2025, FIIs sold stocks worth around ₹3,21,751 crore, putting downward pressure on the markets.
Adding to the challenges, global markets faced renewed uncertainty as tariffs re-emerged as a major risk, shaking investor confidence worldwide.
However, there is a silver lining. Over the last seven trading sessions till April 25, 2025, FIIs have turned net buyers in Indian markets, providing some much-needed relief and support to the Nifty.
As we move closer to Akshaya Tritiya 2025, gold stands tall, offering strong returns and acting as a shield against uncertainty. Meanwhile, equities are beginning to show signs of recovery, giving investors hope for a more balanced and resilient market in the coming months.
Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.