Gold rate today, March 1 -- Following the strong US dollar, the MCX gold rate ended its seven-week winning streak and closed at Rs.84,202 per 10 gm. However, gold prices finished higher for the second straight month, delivering 2.13 per cent returns in the international market. Spot gold finished at $2,858.60 per ounce, while COMEX's price ended at $2,862.20 per troy ounce.

According to market experts, gold rates today are under profit-booking pressure as the US dollar rebounded from a two-week low and ended at a two-week high last week. This triggered profit-booking in the precious yellow metal. However, they maintained that safe-haven demand for gold persists as Trump's tariff flare and US inflation worries remain.

On what is dragging...