Gold retreats on strong dollar after four-day rally

Gold slumped more than 5%, ending a four-day rally on Tuesday. The metal was weighed down by a stronger dollar and fading prospects of an interest rate cut as inflation concerns intensified against the backdrop of a potentially prolonged conflict in West Asia.

Spot gold was down 5.6% at $5,029.59 an ounce whereas prices had hit an over four-week high in the previous session. US gold futures lost 5.1% to $5,041.50.

The US dollar, a competing safe-haven asset, rose to an over one-month peak, making dollar-priced bullion less affordable for holders of other currencies. US Treasury yields rose for a second consecutive session.

Indian bullion traders and associations are speculating that gold could attain Rs 2 lakh per 10 gm and silver may well scale Rs 3.5 lakh per kg if the conflict does not abate swiftly.

Spot silver fell 11.2% to $79.42 an ounce after climbing to a more than four-week high on Monday. As the Iran conflict entered its fourth day, crude oil benchmarks jumped over 8% in response.