Gold prices today fall to near 1-year lows. In India, rates dip below ₹50,000

 Gold prices today: Global rates today fell to $1,691 per ounce, the lowest since August 21

In India, the fall in gold rates has been less steep due to the recent import duty hike on the yellow metal.

In global markets, gold rates today fell to lowest in nearly a year, buffeted by an elevated Us    dollar.Prospects of more interest rate hikes by major central banks also weighed on bullion's appeal. Spot gold today fell to $1,691.40, the lowest since August 2021. A stronger US dollar makes greenback-priced bullion more expensive for buyers holding other currencies.

In India, the fall has been less steep due to the recent import duty hike on the yellow metal. MCX gold futures were down 0.5% to ₹49,958 per 10 gram, the lowest since February, while silver fell 0.88% to ₹55130 per kg. India imports most of its gold requirement. Besides global rates and rupee-dollar movement, domestic prices also track change in different levies like import duty and GST.

“COMEX gold trades near Aug.2021 lows weighed down by pause in US dollar ahead of ECB decision today. Also weighing on price is stability in equity markets, concerns about consumer demand in India and China and continuing ETF outflows. Gold stalled near $1700/oz level for last few days despite weakness in US dollar which showed lack of confidence that US currency may weaken significantly. Gold may remain under pressure unless we see renewed selling pressure in US dollar post ECB decision. ECB is largely expected to raise interest rate by 0.25% however there is some expectations of a bigger move as well," said Ravindra Rao, VP- Head Commodity Research at Kotak Securities.

Commodity traders will be focused on the European Central Bank policy outcome today. The ECB is expected to raise interest rates for the first time in 11 years. Next week, the policymakers of US Federal Reserve will meet to decide on interest rate. The Fed is widely expected to raise interest rates by 75 basis points at its policy meeting next week to combat inflation.

Although gold is seen as a hedge against inflation, rising interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding bullion, which pays no interest.

Despite the price dip, ETFs continued to see outflows. The holdings of SPDR Gold Trust , the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.3% to 1,005.87 tonnes on Wednesday from 1,009.06 tonnes on Tuesday.

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