Gold prices remained steady during the afternoon session on July 24, as investors eagerly anticipated the upcoming meeting of the US Federal Reserve (Fed). There is a possibility that the US central bank may indicate a halt in the increase of interest rates from July 2023.
The slight rise of 0.1% in the dollar index limited the potential for gold to rise, as a stronger US currency makes the metal more expensive for holders of other currencies.
The Fed is scheduled to announce its decision on interest rates on Wednesday, July 26, followed by the European Central Bank (ECB) on July 27, with both banks expected to raise rates significantly. This is particularly important for gold, as it is highly sensitive to interest rate hikes due to the increased opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.