Gold prices continued their downward trend on Thursday, remaining close to a seven-month low. This decline is primarily attributed to a strengthening US dollar and increasing anticipation of further interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve. A stronger dollar makes gold less attractive to international investors, while higher interest rates typically diminish gold’s appeal as a non-yielding asset. Market analysts suggest that the expectation of tighter monetary policy by the Fed is the dominant factor influencing gold’s performance. The metal has faced sustained selling pressure as investors reposition themselves for a higher-rate environment. Further Fed announcements will likely continue to impact gold’s trajectory in the near term.