MCX Gold Price Drops 1% to ₹1,42,050 as Brent Crude Surges Above $79 on Middle East Tensions
Key Points
MCX gold price fell 1% to ₹1,42,050 per 10 grams on July 13.
Brent crude surged above $79 a barrel on Strait of Hormuz tensions.
Traders now price a 60% to 63% chance of a September Fed hike.
HSBC cut its 2026 average gold price forecast to $4,560 an ounce.
MCX gold price fell 1% to ₹1,42,050 per 10 grams on July 13, 2026. The August gold futures contract slipped from Friday’s close of ₹1,43,485 as safe-haven demand cooled. Brent crude, meanwhile, surged past $79 a barrel, extending a weekly gain near 6%. Renewed US-Iran military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz kept energy markets on edge. The combination pushed traders to rotate capital away from bullion and toward inflation-sensitive assets.
Why MCX Gold Price Slipped Today
MCX gold (NYSE: GOLD) price came under pressure as rising oil costs revived fears of prolonged Federal Reserve tightening. Higher crude prices typically stoke inflation expectations, which can reduce gold’s near-term appeal despite its safe-haven status. The CME FedWatch Tool showed traders pricing in a 60% to 63% chance of a September rate hike. Spot gold in the international market held near $4,090 to $4,100 per ounce during the session.
India’s dollar index stayed firm near 100.6, adding further pressure on rupee-denominated gold prices.
- MCX August gold futures: down 1% to ₹1,42,050 per 10 grams.
- Previous close: ₹1,43,485 per 10 grams on July 10, 2026.
- International spot gold: trading near $4,090 to $4,100 per ounce.
- September Fed rate hike odds: between 60% and 63%, per CME FedWatch.
Brent Crude’s Surge Explained
Brent crude futures climbed above $79 a barrel, driven by fresh US strikes on Iranian military targets. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks on US-allied Gulf states, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. That waterway carries roughly a fifth of global oil supply, making any disruption highly price-sensitive.
WTI crude also advanced, trading near $74 a barrel as the broader energy complex moved higher. Brent is now on pace for its strongest weekly gain in recent months, based on continued Hormuz-related supply concerns.
Key Oil Market Drivers This Week
- Brent crude: surged above $79 per barrel, up sharply intraday.
- WTI crude: trading near $74 per barrel, tracking Brent’s advance.
- Weekly gain: Brent on track for close to a 6% rise.
- Trigger: renewed US-Iran strikes disrupting Strait of Hormuz shipping.
Domestic Gold Rates Across Indian Cities
Physical gold rates in India moved lower alongside the MCX gold price decline. 24-karat gold fell to approximately ₹1,41,500 per 10 grams in most metro markets. 22-karat gold traded near ₹1,29,600 per 10 grams, reflecting the standard purity discount. Mumbai and Kolkata mirrored prices at ₹1,41,500, while Delhi traded slightly higher at ₹1,41,650. Chennai remained the costliest major market, with rates near ₹1,44,220 due to local taxation differences.
City-Wise Gold Price Snapshot
- Mumbai and Kolkata: 24K gold near ₹1,41,500 per 10 grams.
- Delhi: 24K gold trading around ₹1,41,650 per 10 grams.
- Chennai: 24K gold priced near ₹1,44,220 per 10 grams.
- 22K gold nationally: hovering close to ₹1,29,600 per 10 grams.
Broader Market Context for Bullion
HSBC recently trimmed its 2026 average gold price forecast to $4,560 an ounce, down from $4,864. Its 2027 forecast also fell to $4,925 an ounce from an earlier $5,000 estimate. China’s central bank added to its gold reserves in June at the fastest monthly pace in over two and a half years. That steady central bank demand continues to offset some of the pressure from rising oil prices and dollar strength.
Investors in gold loan financiers like Muthoot Finance (MUTHOOTFIN.NS) and jewelry retailers such as Titan Company and Kalyan Jewellers often track these swings closely, given their direct exposure to bullion price movements. Energy producers including Reliance Industries and ONGC, by contrast, tend to benefit from firmer crude prices.
Final Thoughts
The MCX gold price decline to ₹1,42,050 reflects a market caught between inflation risk from surging oil prices and steady underlying safe-haven demand. Brent crude’s move above $79 a barrel shows how quickly Middle East tensions can reshape commodity markets within days. With Fed policy expectations still fluid and Strait of Hormuz risks unresolved, both gold and oil markets are likely to stay volatile through the coming week.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
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